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AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 




Yonatchna 



An 
Athabascan Princess 



BY 

GEORGE FENWICK 



Illustrated by MAX W. KOLLM 



1910 
THE ALICE HARRIMAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK (^ SEATTLE 



-f^ 






Copyright, 1910, by 
GEORGE PENWICK 



THE PREMIER PRESS 
NEW YORK 

CCI.A2S0U14 









In acknowledgment of help so generously 

given, this little volume is 

lovingly dedicated to 

My Wife 



CONTENTS 

BOOK I PAGE 

Harold Brown Is Introduced - - - - 11 

BOOK II 

The Death of Chief Amugannock - - 53 

BOOK III 

Choosing a New Chief 63 

BOOK IV 

Yonatchna's Pleading 73 

BOOK V 

The Princess' Defiance 103 

BOOK VI 

The Persecutor 117 

BOOK VII 

The Pursuit 129 

BOOK VIII 

The Wedding 141 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Yonatchna - Frontispiece 

FACING PAGB 

** Thus they found them'* 26 

Chief Amugannock 30 

**Love found birth'* 48 

** Wilder rose their chant** 56 

**Snow-shoe men ahead** 78 

Chief Tuluksaka 132 

'*Her mission-book served** 148 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK I 



i 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 

FULL determined on the journey, though the 
north-wind bit his face, 
Every shade of his demeanor prophesied the 

luring race 
That stretched rosily before him, calling, calling to 

his heart. 
Lending visions to his dreaming, with ambition as his 

chart. 
He was strong, and full of purpose — cast like iron was 

his will. 
And the vigor of his body only matched his spirit's 

thrill. 
Here he was alone, abandoned, with a grim intent to 

stay,— 
Let the others turn them homeward, he would wait a 

better day. 
As he gazed about he pondered, wondered if he'd done 

aright 
In this effort to reach outward and engage this arduous 

fight; 
For though young in years and north-craft, much he 

craved that he might know 
Of the wondrous bleak, wild region, up where spread 

Alaska's snow. 

13 



14 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

For this great strange country to him, reaching ever 

to the north, 
Held a mystic maze of wonders, and would prove his 

lack or worth. 
He well knew from stories told him, that the menace 

of these lands 
Boasted few to brave the trailways ; few to meet with 

their demands. 

Overruling doubts that met him, he would master sure 

his part, 
Through the strength of his great purpose that made 

way to cheer his heart ; 
Leapt to passion now his hoping that the greatness of 

his aim 
Would insure his progress ever, lead him on to golden 

fame. 
Wild the blood sprang from its urging, zeal now quick- 
ened to new life. 
And his will commanding sternly, now applied the goad 

and knife. 
Strove he onward, in his mind's eye, seeking new 

worlds to inspect, 
And of these he grasped the fruitful ; then behind him 

left the wreck 
Of the life that yielded nothing, through these years 

of clinging hope 
That was deadening in its meanness, and was narrow 

in its scope. 

Massive mountains lay beyond him, capped by stainless, 
changeless snow, — 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 15 

Where the rivers find their fountains; eager that the 

world might know 
Of this matchless land inviting, spaced and set aloof 

by God, 
Ruled by Nature and the north lights to the tune of 

nature's rod. 
How the cool air fanned his bosom, thrown wide open 

from the heat 
That suffused his entire body; he would never know 

defeat. 
For the mind was ruling, building, and the body 

swerved reply, — 
Dare to do the things once hoped for, dare to do, or 

dare to die : — 
Thus the purpose worked within him, while he stood 

here all alone 
With his lone dog as companion, faithful as his under- 
tone. 
In the future that was calling this would be his only 

mate, 
Striving onward, ever upward, he would bravely meet 

his fate. 

— This the foeman of my liking, much my heart aspires 
to tell 

How he floundered through the morass, how he waded 
through a hell, 

How the obstacles he met there tried his mettle to the 
quick : 

Founded on the plan of testing — always nature's bold- 
est trick, — 



i6 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Weighed the balance in the summing, if this was the 

child she sought, 
Or a stripling with a fancy, following thus his aim for 

naught. 
'Twas a brave soul that old Nature searched for to 

commence her work, — 
Who would dare the boldest issues, and the hardest 

trails not shirk. 
Oft the sweetness of our nature, like the honey in the 

comb. 
Turns to sour when fermenting, and takes on a bitter 

tone. 
Safe within the folds of sequence, changes come and 

changes go, 
Like the swinging of the pendulum minutes shuttle to 

and fro. 
Night was settling o'er the Northland, and the cour- 
tiers nature sought 
In her animal and bird-life, sank to sleep, and peace 

thus brought. 
Now the eyelids of our traveler, drooping heavy o'er 

his eyes. 
Lulled his soul to peaceful slumber, quieting the doubts 

and sighs; — 
Peaceful sleep, like the Redeemer, gathered up his scat- 
tered thoughts. 
Built them into hope redoubled, thus to conquer what 

life brought. 

With the morning breaking tranquil, woke our sleeper 
from his dreams; 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 17 

Sleep had brought reserves of nature, and sewed up 

the broken seams 
That his shattered hopes had brought him, when he 

found himself alone 
On the wild shores of a strange land, that in future 

would be home. 
Gazed he long upon the prospect, as it stretched far to 

the North, 
Trained his vision through the great gash cut by waters 

surging forth 
From the mountains in the distance, cheerless, spectral 

in their state, 
They should witness yet his triumph in the struggle 

with his fate. 

It was on the great Susitna, trained to carve its outlet 

wide 
Through the reaches of the valley, where the rocky up- 
lands bide 
In their peaceful slumbers, lying here in wait for newer 

life. 
As the man-child in the chrysalis climbing up the scale 

through strife. 
With his dog beside him trudging, lowly bending 

'neath his pack 
Of provisions that must succor, with his rifle on his 

back — 
He was leaving far behind him all the life that youth's 

bright years 
Had encircled close around him, with their promises 

and tears. 



i8 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Trod he now the path that offered, leading on the river 

bank, 
Over rocks, and through morasses in whose miry 

depths he sank : 
GalHng deep the impetuous nature that was burning 

in its zest ; 
Firing wild the resolution that had gold for its sole 

quest. 
Tangled brush was scattered freely from the fury of 

the storm 
That had swept adown this valley in its driving, bitter 

scorn. 
Pushed he forward in his venture, nothing daunted by 

restraint. 
Though the hardships of his journey left him hungry, 

chill, and faint. 
Roared the waters wild below him in their hurry to 

the sea. 
Thick with silt which they had bitten from this wild, 

rough country. 
Noon had come, but naught he heeded, one hill more he 

still must climb. 
Then go downward to the river, there to rest him for 

a time. 
Rolled the great sun westward, westward, and its slant- 
ing rays flung wide 
Shadows from the shrubbery finding life upon the 

mountain side. 
Upward still the weary body staggered to the mind's 

intent, 
Weaker grew the struggling spirit that was leading 

on the scent. 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 19 

But the resolution boldly pricked ambition to its test — 
Poured its fullness in the giving to this one aspiring 

quest : 
So the asking seeks to further what the better senses 

know, 
And engenders strength of purpose — for the true man 

seeks to grow. 

When the sun had kissed the hill tops in its westward 

bent that night, 
And had signaled its last watchword to the stars that 

now grew bright, — 
Staggered slowly to the river a lone figure with his 

dog; 
He was spent and sore from effort as he sank upon 

a log; 
Threw his pack from him so careless, caring naught 

where it might fall. 
As fatigue numbed him to slumber midst the evening's 

gloomy pall. 
And his dog exhausted lay there, watching by his mas- 
ter's side, — 
Gaunt from hunger, tired from tramping, but still 

faithful to his guide. 
Chill the air grew on the river, carried from the 

mount on high 
Where the snow and ice eternal lift their shroud 

against the sky. 
Closer crept the dog to warm him, bitter this the hour 

of trial, 
When the heart of man needs coaxing, that it may his 

lot beguile. 



20 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

So throughout this long, lone night time, they two laid 

there as if dead. 
Naught to cover or protect them, naught on which to 

rest the head, — 
Save the damp and chilling mosses, that for centuries 

have spread. 
Hiding from the eye of mankind many coal fields in 

their bed. 
Once again the morning sunlight kissed the evergreens 

in state. 
Stole its way among the valleys, found the sleepers 

there innate ; 
Not a quiver of the eyelash, not a motion of the form : 
Fain the daylight w^ould arouse them, fain the sun 

their bodies warm. 
Birds sang sweetly midst the bushes, for it was their 

mating time, 
And the whisper of the breezes made a soft cathedral 

chime. 
When the sun had reached its zenith heralding mid- 
day's quiet hour — 
It was then the sleeping figures showed some impulse 

of their power. 

Roused he from his lingering slumber, stiff of joint 
and numb of limb; 

But the ardor in him burned still with a never-quench- 
ing vim. 

Famished from his lengthy fasting, quickly he a meal 
prepared, 

And from all their craving hunger naught himself nor 
dog he spared. 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 21 

Sitting there upon the moss-bed, stringing out the 
threads of hope 

Leading through the Hfe before him in this climbing 
fortune's slope: 

Answering doubtful questions stoutly, fearing not that 
heart would fail 

In his distant wanderings onward. That much suffer- 
ing would entail 

He well knew from his short travel; but he suffered 
not a doubt 

To gain entrance to his planning. He would put all 
fears to rout, — 

So he gathered up belongings, carefully he made his 
pack. 

And with hesitating movements swung it to his blis- 
tered back. 

On before him boggy stretches, tangled with a scrubby 

growth, 
That past ages never bettered in their fair display of 

sloth ; 
Deep, thick, brackish ooze lay waiting to impede his 

every step, 
Intersected by the mosses ; and the nigger-heads here 

slept 
In their dormant state, inactive, no excuse for being 

here. 

Save to fill the time and place in, and this valley 
gravely sear. 

Trail there was none, but the river stretching up to- 
wards its source, 



22 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Told his sense in strict assurance that his way lay by 

its course, 
Many hours he stumbled onward, fighting insects fierce 

and keen, 
For mosquitoes by the millions find their birth in this 

demesne. 
Struggling over fallen timber, wading through some 

slimy stream, 
Leaping over pools that sheltered poisons with opales- 
cent gleam. 
Oft in crossing he would stumble o'er some treacher- 
ous, knotty log ; 
Tear his clothes and flesh in falling headlong in some 

brackish bog. 
Now the night grew chill and moody, and as lowering 

shadows fell. 
Deepest meditation lingered, with its blissful, restful 

spell. 
Once he thought he heard the voices of some natives 

far ahead. 
As he listened more intently, naught but silence there 

instead ; 
Even the wind had died to stillness, and the black night 

settled down 
With his spectral, lonesome quiet, and its ominous dark 

frown. 

Now beneath a friendly willow, with its branches lifted 

high 
To protect him all the surer, down he laid him with a 

sigh. 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 23 

And his dog beside him nestled, slept they two in per- 
fect peace, — 
Past and present, and the future, — time gave him its 

sweet release. 
Thus the days wore on in numbers, and nigh tried his 

body out ; 
But complained he not, nor shrank he — he had gone 

too far to doubt. 
When the days waxed hot or rainy, and his limbs and 

feet grew sore. 
He would stop and stretch his blanket, pet his dog, 

and count his score : 
"Now to-morrow," he would murmur, **if I reach a 

certain place, 
I must travel several hours, can I make it at this pace ?'' 
Then ambition would soar upward, and his courage 

would reply: 
"Dare to do the things once set on, dare to do, or dare 

to die." 
But his food was getting lighter, and himself and dog 

grown weak 
From this awful racking travel, and the land lay cold 

and bleak. 

Naught he saw to train his rifle, saving birds that he 
might miss. 

And his ammunition precious was in this vast wilder- 
ness. 

Passed he several streams by fording, but he varied 
not his course ; 

He would reach his destination, if for better or for 
worse. 



24 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

He was seeking for the confluence where the Yentna 

pours its flood, 
Here an Indian village slumbered, where he'd seek for 

rest and food. 
Then would toward the mountains travel, till he struck 

the low divide, 
Over which rapacious gold fields, sucked entire their 

human tide. 
Oft he saw the two volcanoes, — Illimna, and Redoubt, 
Cast their glimmer to the heavens from their tremor- 

ous, angry spout. 
Now a longing seized his bosom, rent his purpose nigh 

in twain, 
God, for just a human being to make less this awful 

strain ! 

Could he make it ? Oh, so weary, would no man stretch 
out a hand. 

Help him gently o'er this cursed space of treacherous 
boggy land ? 

Grasped he wildly to the air-space, full he fell upon the 
ground : 

Crippled, torn, and bleeding badly from the wounds 
he'd left unbound. 

Stood his dog in silent wonder, eyes that showed a hu- 
mane sense. 

Faithful to the last long moment, with an agony in- 
tense 

From the starving and the walking ; and the poisonous 
brackish ooze 

Ate into his flesh and stung him, — not his nature to 
refuse : 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 25 

For his master in liis weakness, strapped upon the dog 

his pack, 
As he wandered blindly onward, praying God to fill 

each lack. 
Low upon his belly lying, licked his master^s wounds 

and face, — 
Thus revived him for a moment, and was caught in an 

embrace, 
And the crazed man hugged and kissed him, talked in 

tones so full of heart. 
As emotion ran its riot, — for 'tis thus does love impart. 
Thus they found them, did some natives, huddled on the 

cold damp moss, 
Trembling from the cold that gripped them, — nature, 

with its gold and dross. 
Took them to their kaiaks, gently, paddled to their 

village near, 
In their warm igloo they tendered all the care that man 

holds dear. 

With selected skin of moose-calf, scraped clean of its 
every hair. 

Smooth as velvet in the finish, handled with the great- 
est care ; 

'Round about the edge for trimmings, colored strips 
of skin were placed 

Fashioned in the native custom, with soft folds her 
form was graced. 

Thus appeared fair Yonatchna, with her moccasins so 
light 

Fitting close her slender feet, and tied about with new 
thongs bright ; 



26 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Varied the artistic bead-work — bright her dainty foot- 
gear shone, 

Like the colors of the rainbow that the summer sky has 
known. 

Tall she was with supple figure, timid as the faltering 
fawn; 

Rounded features, eyes of coal black, dimpled were the 
cheeks of brown. 

When she moved 'twas like the zephyrs blowing 
through some rosy bower, — 

Life had touched the maid with blessings, through its 
rare artistic power. 

As she stood there, haughty, silent, crept a deep flush 

o'er her face; 
Not a word spake she in looking, — as the custom of 

her race. 
Back they fell before this maiden, back these dusky 

natives all. 
Her one glance so firm sufficed her to make plain her 

early call : 
She had come, this Chieftain's daughter, as a mark of 

their good will. 
Bearing in her bosom kindness that this stranger's 

doubts be still. 
Quiet lay he on the fur robes, spread in layers on the 

ground. 
If he heard, he gave no signal to the babel all around. 
Slowly to the bedside, faltering as the deer urged by 

the chase 
Seeks to hide its presence always, with a stealthy tread 

of grace ; 



I 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 27 

Knelt she down beside this stranger, gazed upon his 

visage pale ; 
With a hngering look of sadness read his sufferings 

on the trail. 
Quick she rose, and spake some few words to a native 

standing by, 
And his animated footsteps paused not that he make 

reply : 
Soon some herbs he brought and offered, these her 

deft hands quick prepared. 
Bathed his wounds so tender, careful, — the esteem her 

people shared. 
Then she lingered but a moment, gave her orders as 

she went, 
In a voice that held command, but still it left the flow- 
ers' scent. 

Days and days passed to oblivion, still he hovered near 
death's door. 

Raving in his shattered senses ; muscles weak and body 
sore. 

Attentively they watched his welfare at the orders of 
this maid, 

Who had well usurped this function in her duty, un- 
afraid. 

Came a time the sun swung southward, in its gradual 

trend from sight, 
On its annual migration, turning daylight into night ; 
And this gloomy stretch of darkness, makes an effort 

to hide low 



28 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

All this cursed, gripping freezing, midst this north- 
land's ice and snow. 
By this term of nature's respite, man adopts the one 

extreme, 
Utilizes this advantage to cross over bog and stream, 
In the hauling of his outfit to the vast interior, 

where 
He may delve and grope for riches — find a stipend as 

his share. 
But the work is hard and trying, and it takes man's 

stoutest heart 
To make good and crown his effort by his sole, integral 

part: 
Not a semblance of weak shirking, hope to rest is put 

aside — 
Always working, pulling, hauling, — cold and wet he 

must abide. 
Many are the men who've tried it, led there by the lure 

of gold ; 
But defeated and disheartened at the hardships mani- 
fold. 
They have left these northern death trails for the 

stouter hearts to break ;— 
Left the struggling and the suffering to the men whom 

hopes still shake — 
But they come again and follow where the master hand 

has led : — 
Follow over trails that threaten : strewn along with 

maimed and dead. 

Yonatchna came one evening when the sun had sunk to 
rest; 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 29 

Stepped into the igloo gently, with a weight in her 

young breast ; 
For somehow this stranger touched her through the 

pallor of his face, 
And the lines of suffering wrought there, for the weeks 

had left their trace. 
He was noble, manly, feared not to take up an arduous 

task : 
What on earth is more enchanting, what on earth has 

better cast? 
Let the world pay tribute ever to the men who blaze 

the way 
They control the secret power that lights to a better 

day. 
Slowly to the bedside stole she, fearful in her maiden's 

quest, 

Lest the unforeseen might happen, and she thus dis- 
turb his rest ; 

He was wide awake to greet her, but his voice was low 
and sad : 

Though he'd passed the man's first land-mark, still in 
features was he lad. 

"I am glad you came," he faltered, and reached out a 

thin white hand 
That bespoke the pain he'd suffered, and his manhood's 

sturdy stand ; 
But she gave no hand in greeting,— stood there silent 

in her pride — 
Was she not the Chieftain's daughter, all emotion to 

deride? 



30 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

From the cradle to the present, strict her tuition on 

these Hnes, 
So 'twas purely second nature stirring her from ancient 

times. 
Calm she stood and gazed upon him, not a line of her 

sweet face 
Told the secret that her soul knew, — thus her heart 

did she efface. 
Calm, from her display of calmness, he withdrew his 

outstretched hand. 
Waiting 'till she gave some answer, — then he'd better 

understand. 
"You are better, are you?" asked she, and her words 

were low and clear. 
Like the wood-notes of the thrushes, singing their first 

morning's cheer. 
"Better? Yes; but still not able to take up my daily 

tramp ; 
Trails are rough in this wild country; though you'll 

think me but a scamp 
If I stay a charge upon you and your kindness try still 

more, 
For to you I owe my life and so I thank you o'er and 

o'er. 
I'll repay you though," he finished in a burst of manly 

pride. 
And his eyes turned quick enquiry to this maiden by 

his side. 
"Pay, we ask not that ! I came here, I, the Chieftain's 

daughter, came 
On the bidding of my father, who is old and very lame : 




Chief Amugannock 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 31 

He would see you when you're able; I have told him 

of your case, 
How our hunters found you lying when returning from 

the chase. 
Rest/' the words slipped from her gently, as she turned 

and left his side : 
Thus her calm adieu was spoken in the quiet eventide. 

Quietly the shadows falling o'er this village in the wilds 

With its igloos standing ghost-like, basking fair in 
nature's smiles, 

Yonatchna walked its whole length, wrapped in medi- 
tative mood : 

Glowing in the joy of living this her budding woman- 
hood. 

Life to her was void of sorrow, and the spark burned 
deeply bright 

Through the richness of her nature, making ideal what 
requite 

She could offer those about her in her benign atti- 
tude : — 

Full of love, her buoyant spirit always sought to do 
some good. 

Dearly loved by all her people, who had gathered from 

afar. 
Oft returned their huntsmen hungry, bearing deep 

some jagged scar 
They had proudly gained in combat from the victims 

of their chase, — 
'Twas to her, sweet Yonatchna, with an all-becoming 

grace, 



32 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

That they would relate so proudly, all their arduous, 
daring deeds : — 

She would recompense them simply by a smile, and 
gift of beads 

Worked in some artistic fashion on a strip of moose- 
hide white, 

Which they wore in full view always in the chase as 
proof of might. 

Born of brave blood, thus her lineage traced a long 

ancestral line ; 
Backward, backward through the ages, at a place at 

such a time 
Rose the first man from the unknown; he was Chief 

and Lord o'er all. 
And from that to this late living ne'er once did his 

prestige fall 
To the rear in chase of walrus, or the savage polar 

bear. 
And the hunting of the great moose; always first for 

battle's share. 
Down throughout the long, long ages, pride and 

strength, and ruling power. 
Had engendered pride and valor, as their natural 

earthly dower. 
But a sweeter pride had caught her, in her attitude to 

self. 
For she knew this sweet, true living was the spirit's 

greatest wealth. 

Suitors had she beyond counting; far was her sweet 
nature known : — 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 33 

From the Kobuck, and Aleutians, to where ThHngit 
natives roam. 

For, in gathering to this village on some pilgrimage 
of note, 

Back the brave in pride bore with them, her small em- 
blem to denote 

That a day had passed their tribe life when they'd won 
their laurels well 

In the chase, or through endurance. Of her beauty 
they would tell; 

But they could not win an answer that would crown 
their wish entire : — 

Laughingly she'd circumvent them, till their pleading 
lost its fire. 

And they'd give a whole-souled friendship with its 
ardor no whit less, 

She would be friends to all, lowly, through this north- 
ern wilderness : 

Thus contrite in her soul's fullness, with a woman's 
instinct clear, 

Reaching deep through their emotions, — ^her consoling 
aim, to cheer. 

.When the next morn brought its brightness, ere the 

sun had sucked the dew. 
And the birds were singing sweetly songs which 

seemed to her anew, 
Yonatchna, in her simple yet artistic dress, came forth, 
And she lightly brushed the flowers on the pathway to 

the north. 
Humming lowly some stran^-e lore-chant, thus she 

voiced her yearning heart; 



34 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Plumy grasses, glinting sunlight, all gave homage to 

her art. 
Life was glorious in this freedom, with the dandelions 

in love — 
Drinking in this primal color; and just through the 

alder cove 
Strove the gypsophila's beauty to offset the daisy's 

hue; 
And entangled through the grasses, laughed the morn- 
ing-bell so blue. 
Oh, these children of the valley, how they nod in elfish 

glee. 
As the wind comes swishing past them with its gusts 

so saucily. 
Yonatchna, moving careful, lest she mar this splendid 

scene. 
Plucked so lovingly the flowers, with appreciation 

keen, 
Just to shade the dainty colors more to her artistic 

taste. 
Her bouquet being completed, off she set in maiden 

haste. 
Straight towards an igloo went she, but she paused, 

as half afraid 
Lest her act savor of boldness, being she was but a 

maid. 
So she hummed a lore-song gently, thus to make her 

presence clear; 
Then so proudly with her flowers aloft, she bade him 

morning cheer. 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 35 

He was sitting on a low seat that was carved from 

some great tree ; 
Buried deep in recollections, and was startled much to 

see 
Entering, so fair a vision, with the gifts from nature's 

bowers : 
In her hand, that was extended, held she morning's 

fairest flowers! 
Rose he up to greet her quickly, took this offering she 

gave: 
'*! am ever now indebted, so from now I am your slave ; 
These are wondrous flowers, surely; but the donor in 

the act. 
Shows a rarer beauty to me. Is this friendship's fair 

compact?" 
For a moment she was silent, thus to weigh her words 

aright : 
"I was walking up the valley, and I thought perhaps 

you might" — 
Then words failed her, as she stood there, in her grave 

nativity. 
Like a messenger of gladness in her sweet simplicity. 
**So you thought I might like flowers? Yes, they yield 

a double hope — 
Their sweet fragrance is a message that has life for its 

great scope. 
Hope still lives within my breast here that the future 

will hold dear 
These, your people, who have succored, and yourself, 

who, standing here 
Praising loudly all your goodness, that yourself will 

not admit; 



36 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

But my heart is more than grateful^ and dear lady, all 

my wit 
Would count naught in this, my telling, if my thanking 

were not true — 
I was thinking it this morning, so Fm voicing it to 

you." 

Yonatchna's face grew brighter and, with her extended 
hand, 

Led her woman's courage upward, that she stood here 
in command. 

Taking her small hand within his, and with just a pres- 
sure mild, 

Bowed in recognition, lowly, to the sweet in nature's 
child. 

**Soon my stay here will be over, but wherever I may 
roam, 

Through your kindness, I'll be tempted to claim this 
as my own home." 

"My fair stranger, I implore you, for my kinsfolks 

and myself. 
That you tarry here among us, so you might regain 

your health : 
Thanks we ask not, as I told you, 'tis with pride we 

recognize 
That we have a man among us, as yourself must well 

surmise, 
'Tis a brave one who tramps northward, fearlessly and 

all alone. 
For what reason, 'tis your secret, — and for this you 

must atone." 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED ij 

And mischievously she laughed here, with that low 

sweet sound of joy, 
Promising a freer feeling, which he hoped she might 

employ. 
*Tray be seated; and those flowers, have you plucked 

them fresh this morn ? 
Was it for myself you brought them, or has some one 

else been shorn 
Of their beauty, and your presence? If so, I am in 

black books ; 
And again I am your debtor. Some day I will seek 

the nooks 
Where they grow, if you will show me. Might I be 

so bold to ask, 
As a favor that I crave much, — and the favor is no 

task, — 
That you tell me for my pleasure, by what name I 

might address?" 
Then she looked toward him shyly, though her poise 

showed none the less. 
''Why, they call me Yonatchna, just a plain name, as 

you see; 
Names mean nothing, when you know one, so at least, 

it seems to me. 
I like better deeds of daring, for their inspirations 

urge 
To live better, and be nobler; through them such im- 
pulses surge." 
So he sat and gazed upon her, both in face and mind 

so rare, 
Born here in this wild, rough country, no advantages 

to share. 



38 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

"I am Harold Brown, from 'Frisco. You have never 

heard of him : 
''Well, I'm traveling o'er the mountains to the upper 

Kuskokwim. 
There is gold there, so they tell me, and, being young 

and full of hope, 
I have set out in this manner v^ith Dame Fortune's 

gods to cope." 
"Gold ! And you are a gold-seeker ? You, just in the 

prime of life : 
Tramping, tramping, day-time, night-time, undergoing 

all this strife 
For the gold that's so appealing to your race beyond 

the sea : 
What is in this gold that lures you? It has never 

mastered me. 
Oh, how careless are my manners, you are hungry; 

what a shame ! 
Pray be seated, Mr. Harold Brown, — oh, what a funny 

name!" 

When she left him, he thought deeply on the words 

she spake to him : 
Very interesting, surely, was this girl's rare, native 

vim. 
How was it that she had mastered thus the tongue his 

people spoke? 
These her people, this her country, this her place from 

rock to oak. 
He would learn the answer from her, but his time he 

must abide; 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 39 

She was sweet and very noble, and possessed of 
queenly pride. 

Came the natives now to greet him, on their wooden 
platters, bare 

Lay dried moose-meat, sweet and wholesome, — noth- 
ing of it did he spare. 

'Twas three days from this their meeting ere he saw 
her once again; 

Cold the day and very gloomy, with an intermittent 
rain; 

He was nervous from inaction, so he walked about out- 
side, — 

Sauntered through their crooked roadway, past their 
igloos standing wide. 

He met many of the natives who were strangers to his 
eyes ; 

Broken men and time-worn women, who himself did 
recognize. 

Paid his deep respects to many, and to some the slight- 
est bow, 

Many of the northmen nodded, while the rest just 
grunted "How." 

Deep in wisdom of the Northland, well they knew this 
stalwart form, 

Could do battle and win laurels; and could face the 
veriest storm. 

Many men were in the roadway, so they formed a little 

crowd, 
And among them Yonatchna stood, so silent and so 

proud: 



40 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

She was always with the men folks, filling her allotted 

part, 
So unlike the other women, who seemed not to know 

this art. 
When she saw him she gave greeting in a voice which 

brought him cheer ; 
But her glance was momentary as he passed her by so 

near — 
Had he tried he might have touched her; and quite 

clearly he observed 
All the black looks turned upon him by these men, alert 

and nerved. 
His way led him through the valley, where a foot-path 

had been trod. 
And from here he gazed beyond him, where stretched 

out his future road. 
Gravest doubts now fast assailed him; what had life in 

store for him ? 
Unacquainted with this country ; had he still the proper 

vim 
To mush over all this long way; had his zeal been a 

mistake 
Thus to start him on this journey? He would trust 

himself to fate : 
Well he knew what trail life promised, and he would 

not give up now ; 
So determination seized him, — ^put its mark upon his 

brow. 

Down the roadway from the village, in its sombreness 
of state, 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 41 

Came the figure of a young girl — Yonatchna, calm, 

sedate ; 
In her walk the bloom of centuries now was breaking 

to new life, 
And her lineage seemed new waking to engage in bitter 

strife. 
*'Are you hunting for my flowers? Well, they're on 

the hill up there; 
But I do not like your choosing this a day that is not 

fair." 
Thus her voice rang out in gladness ; but her face grew 

sad and long. 
When she saw that he was downcast, and that some- 
thing had gone wrong. 
For he stood there all dejected ; but he looked into her 

face: 
"I have come. Miss Yonatchna, to search out the better 

place. 
For my journey must begin soon ; I have lost a week 

you know. 
If your flowers grow up yonder, they a comfort will 

bestow ; 
For the way will be most lonely, and I'll miss you to 

be sure, — 
Else, my heart throbs would be lying, and a sweet re- 
membrance, poor." 
"Do you see those hills uplifting? Well, they're many 

miles away, 
And I doubt if yet you have the strength to walk the 

livelong day." 
Looking through her crowning beauty, simply, with no 

trick of art 



42 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Shaking down the barriers built there to protect his 

lonely heart. 
He would fain have made his answer as impulsive as 

he felt; 
But he only stood there silent, weighing full his deep 

intent. 
Reaching out his hand to touch her, through the folly 

of desire; 
But she shrank in terror from him, as though burnt 

by fiercest fire. 
Like an avalanche above them, sprang a native to her 

side: 
On his face a lowering hatred that was growing like 

the tide; 
Yonatchna, quick of action, when her reason dictates 

clear, 
Turned and laughed outright so gaily, showing him she 

had no fear. 
With a dogged look of hatred, yet obedient to her 

voice. 
Straight he turned and walked off slowly, — not from 

any wish or choice. 
"What did you do this for?'* cried she, as swift her 

anger spent: 
"You should not deign to touch me in whatever argu- 
ment." 
Humming lowly, but distinctly a strange song she oft 

would chant, 
"My good, true friends, I love them all; but they watch 

against my want." 
And her face turned upward to him, as she gazed into 

his eyes, 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 43 

And she saw his passion lurking, as he stood there in 

surprise. 
Now a coolness crept about him; and his anger rising 

fast, 
Spread its likeness o'er his features, while his soul 

within him lashed 
In a fury born of madness, and his eyes shone hard 

and cold. 
"Do you think that I came here, Miss, to insult you, 

and make bold ? 
The native dog who sprang here now, what was his 

full intent? 
Does he think that I'd insult you? Is his mind so 

downward bent 
That my every act of friendship is construed for some- 
thing queer? 
And do you think within yourself that you have aught 

to fear? 
Pray answer this, for on my soul and by the name I 

bear. 
If so, I'd have contempt for you and yours ; and so I 

swear 
That I would rather perish thefe on that bare moun- 
tain side, 
Than eat again the food you give, or glory in your 

pride ! 
You think because you are a girl, that I am not a 

man, — 
We are not beasts in our land ; we rend not whom we 

can 
That gives the succor to our needs ; we do not stain the 

clean ; 



44 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And I am not the sneaking cur you sought to prove 

I've been. 
Go, take your igloo and your robes; and tell your 

Chieftain too, 
That now I scorn the hand that gave. With money 

I'll ensue 
To pay my debt, whatever it be, and curse the day that I 
Fell by the wayside on the trail when your men passed 

me by." 
And standing there in all his pride, — pure manhood at 

its best, — 
He dominated all about, through his pure righteous 

zest. 

Fair Yonatchna stood her ground, though wept she 

bitter tears ; 
But proved the self-sufficiency she'd gained through 

many years, 
While growing slow to womanhood, — her father's 

mandates dealt 
To all his people in their wants, — through which she 

lived and felt. 
He did not soften at her tears; the hurt in him was 

deep. 
And scorning rose within him more ; he felt its onward 

sweep — 
''Why don't you speak, or have you lost that lovely 

voice of yours? 
You offered flowers, that I might fall into the trap that 

lures : 
For you are fair, I grant you this, with eyes that steal 

their light 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 45 

From out the blackest cloud that hangs about the dark- 
est night." 
*'0h sir, you much misjudge the cause, and so you 

misjudge me: 
I have not put my faith in you to lose it utterly ! 
For all my friends, and father, too, will surely meet 

your scorn 
That rises in its fury, like the direst thunder-storm. 
Fair Yonatchna stands here now, your servant as be- 
fore; 
But well I know that when I speak, your anger is no 

more. 
You do not know our customs yet, and so you are at 

sea 
Why this old friend who was here now, should thus 

look after me. 
You do not know the hurt you deal, the pain my heart 

must feel; 
But I would not, for all this world, their friendship let 

you steal. 
They are my friends, those men you see, all sturdy 

fellows, they, 
Whose hearts are true as tempered steel, forever and 

a day. 
They do not gauge a dire insult as you, with finer 

sense ; 
They cannot see your gallantry, and all your fine intents 
In just your way of viewing it, and so they might hurt 

you; 
But with all unconscious actions, to me they would be 

true. 



46 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Their acts to me are nobly meant, and so you must 

agree, 
If they have over-stepped a point, it was their love, you 

see. 
If you are noble, as you say, and as I surely thought, 
You, in yourself, would offer first the best that could 

be brought 
From any heart at any time, at such a place as this ; 
And here your full apology would not become amiss. 
You think because I am a girl, raised by a native tribe. 
That I am far beneath yourself, and I should have no 

pride; 
You did not feel like this, my friend, when you lay 

there alone 
Upon the trail on that bleak day, reduced to skin and 

bone! 
You rise up in your anger now, and curse us every one; 
And merely just because you see we have been spied 

upon. 
Well, this is such a foolish scene, for us two children 

here, 
A-scratching at each other's eyes, — it really does seem 

queer." 
And here she shot a stinging glance that pierced him 

as a knife, 
As he stood here, and heard her words with sorrow's 

tears so rife. 
"You half convince me, as you speak, that I was harsh 

to you : 
Thus my unbroken will I bend, and grant that you are 

true." 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 47 

The riotous soul within him strove to master what he 

felt; 
And now the maiden, quick of step, before the young 

man knelt. 
*'See, kneel I here, not to you, sir, but to your better 

heart ; 
I feel within my own lone self, that much the greatest 

part 
Is in the heart of any man, if he but master it." 
And through the force of her pure mind, she made him 

this admit. 
"My Yonatchna, glad I stoop to quaff my visitor's cup 
And henceforth through the years to come, no one can 

e'er corrupt 
The purest thought that will live here within my own 

lone heart 
Of you, the supreme queen of right whose life must 

good impart." 
She bounded up in maiden glee, and let him take her 

hand. 
As homeward bound they walked along, with deep trust 

in command. 
Into the igloo that was his, he led her tenderly ; 
And gloried in the fact that she was girt with purity. 

She looked so girlish and so trim, clothed in her 

moose-hide gown ; 
Her wealth of hair, of blackest hue, o'er shoulders fell 

adown. 
On robes of bear and caribou hope sprang to their 

desire, 



48 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And love found birth as they sat there before the 

blazing fire. 
Tnie to her dreams of symmetry, here nature showed 

her art 
In graceful lines, that moulded her nearest to nature's 

heart. 
"If we could but believe in dreams," and here her face 

lit up 
Until it shone with radiance from draughts of 

memory's cup. 
"Why, I would be a Princess fair, and you my per- 
fect Prince; 
There now, you're laughing at me, and I do not like 

your hints. 
In bygone days, so long now past, that this seems a 

new sphere, — 
I learned it from my father dear, the story you shall 

hear: 
There was a maiden who had dreamed that on a future 

day 
Would come a man among them who, in battlement 

array 
Would be full decked, and on his head would bear a 

signal charm. 
And not a man or beast on earth could do him any 

harm. 
She dreamed that he would sweep the earth with his 

majestic power. 
And make subjective every man in one brief fleeting 

hour. 
And then she dreamed that he would come to look upon 

her face, 



HAROLD BROWX IS INTRODUCED 49 

And from that moment, all his power he'd barter for 

her grace 
If she would be to him a wife, and follow to his land, 
Where all the subjects of his power would be at her 

command. 
And, strange enough, this dream came true, and thus 

our own forbears 
Have settled on this land about, and to them we are 

heirs." 
"And so you dreamed of me ?" he cried. "Well, I have 

little power 
To sway a kingdom, or enchant a people in an hour ; 
But Yonatchna, I would ask, where gained you all this 

speech. 
In English you are versed so well, while not within its 

reach?" 
"Why, I am just a mission girl, I got my English 

there; 
And so I learned to feel the weight of this a woman's 

care. 
They taught me that a woman weak, was still of 

greater strength 
To mould the good, than any man with all his boasted 

length ; 
For most men curse where w^omen pray, — they do not 

feel the good 
That consecrates one's very soul in radiant woman- 
hood. 
They come to me, those friends of mine, that I might 

give them power, 
Not knowing 'tis the good in me I give them as a 

dower." 



50 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

She paused and looked into the fire in meditative 

mood; 
"You men are weak in your great strength, and cannot 

gauge the good. 
IVe read in books that worldly men praise much a 

pretty face; 
That they will throw fair virtue down and enter any 

race; 
As you have come from that far land, you know where- 
of I speak. 
And know that I am ignorant of knowledge that I 

seek." 
"Far from the knowledge you may be, but not far from 

the truth 
That goes to recompense the one who lives for good, 

forsooth ; 
I have not come to teach you in the happenings of our 

time. 
Fair souls, to thrive through their great wealth, must 

purity entwine 
About their very cores, for then the greatest sinner 

here 
Will much reflect to such an one the essence he holds 

dear. 
And do you seek the one great God, as my race taught 

you to ? 
I feel within my own lone heart temptations are not 

few, — 
For you have come from nomad stock that finds its 

pride in strength, 
While roaming over hills and dales throughout your 

world's great length." 



HAROLD BROWN IS INTRODUCED 51 

^'Temptation, as you speak the word, I know not what 
you mean; 

For we have many natives, all with morals good and 
clean. 

And I have read your teachings too, and have pon- 
dered their sense; 

They sent me to your mission in my very innocence. 

And there they strove to make me think that all the 
earthly good 

That could be brought to prove its worth, was as re- 
ligion stood. 

With us the man who shows his strength, and proves 
his courage too. 

Lives his own life by what he knows in his own self 
is true." 

She rose and stood a moment tense, and looked upon 
her friend. 

Her body swaying lightly, thus her silence to de- 
fend. 

She left him as the brooding dusk had offered up her 
prayer, 

And showed the traveler that she had no greater light 
to spare. 

She did not bid a fond adieu, she gave him not her 
hand; 

But left him in this quiet way that he might under- 
stand. 

"To-morrow I will go," he said, in speaking to his 

heart, 
"To-morrow on the long lone trail, my pilgrimage Til 

start. 



52 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Oh, for the time to prove the man within me has not 

died, 
The chance to prove ambition true that courage has not 

Hed! 
Yet, I must go to-morrow, sure,*' and here his brow 

grew stern, 
"The Chieftain must my wants supply, my eagerness 

doth burn." 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK II 



THE DEATH OF CHIEF AMUGANNOCK 



THE Chieftain lay upon his robes, the death 
Hght in his face; 
But not in that poor wasted form, was there of 

suffering trace : 
Brave as the stoic heroes old, and proof against dis- 
play, 
Not once the voice had raised complaint, though many 

came that day 
To gaze upon that face they loved, and utter words of 

cheer ; 
But shammans with their boasted powers, had naught 

to do with fear. 
The shammans stood to all the tribes conjurers of the 

race; 
And loudly they proclaimed their power all evil to 

efface. 
The sick and troubled of the tribe would bare their 

hearts and pray. 
In confidence, that through their power, good spirits 

would obey. 
And all the braves before the chase, were taken well 

in hand, 
They sought these worthy shammans that those spirits 

brave and grand. 
Would dwxll within their hearts and limbs, would 

clarify their sight, 

55 



56 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And reinforce their efforts so that they would win 

through might. 
They claimed well to foretell the day good spirits 

would come forth 
And bless the tribe in all they did that was of any 

worth. 
When the great hawk or raven stood with mockery's 

grave grimace, 
To call some one from out their midst, who well had 

served the race, 
'Twas then the shamman's office here well to display 

their power, 
And through fantastic revelry enhance life's blessed 

shower. 
And now that their dear Chief was ill, no power at 

their command 
Was left neglected or uncalled, to strengthen well their 

hand 
In overcoming wicked spirits that would cut the cord, 
And write across his noble brow death's dark unhal- 
lowed word. 

So all the shammans that were near, and many from 

afar, 
Now gathered to their Chieftain's home, to give the 

spirits war. 
Deep painted were their faces all, and decked in strange 

attire, 
With voices weird they bade good spirits their sick 

Chief to inspire. 
Wilder and louder rose their chant, while sadder grew 

their wail, 



DEATH OF CHIEF AMUGANNOCK 57 

The spirits present they blasphemed, to make their 

boldness quail : 
Thus up and down the igloo floor their wild eyes roving 

mad, 
Then shrieking shrill, fantastic calls, they laughed with 

voices glad ; 
The amulets upon their limbs forced blood where 

tightly drawn. 
Which culminated in their boasts that spirits lick their 

spawn. 
On the Raven and the Hawk they called, to dissipate 

their spleen. 
They danced in frantic reverence with zest both deep 

and keen. 
'Round the still form of their sick Chief, the shammans 

rallied all 
In gesticulating agony, on hands and knees to 

crawl ; 
And as they watched that pale face there, their very 

madness grew. 
They shrieked and cursed, implored and begged the 

dragging hours through ; 
They snatched great coals from out the fire and tossed 

them in the air ; 
They rolled upon the ground, then gazed about with 

vacant stare; 
The spirits that could aid them here to save their dying 

Chief,— 
To them they offered beads and charms if they would 

grant relief. 
Then looked they on his face again, and it was paler 

grown, 



58 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

The eyes were set and glassy hard, — the spirits heard 

no moan. 
They tore the clothes from off their backs and tramped 

them to the ground, 
They smeared their bodies with foul paste, and tight 

their eyes they bound. 
And now they stood each in his place, and danced and 

tore their hair 
Until their strength exhausted was and they fell in 

despair. 
But though their shammans' powers failed to win a 

lease of life 
Still, to this day, the shammans' sway with natives 

here is rife. 

Yonatchna, pale and trembling, through her agony of 

grief. 
Despairing and heart-broken, knelt beside her suffering 

Chief: 
All the sunlight of her young life had now turned to 

blackest night. 
And she suffered there in silence through her agoniz- 
ing plight. 
Prayed she silently but earnest, to the God of branch 

and dove, 
Prayed that He would spare her father in His goodness 

and His love. 
Then she meditated deeply, how her father in his 

pride, 
Strove to keep a promise given to the good priest — 'till 

he died 
This fair Yonatchna cherish, as a being set apart 



DEATH OF CHIEF AMUGANNOCK 59 

From the hardships of her sisters to bring sunshine to 
his heart. 

He had ever kept his promise, always treated her 

aright ; 
And instructed all his subjects that her presence 

brought much light. 
She could speak the pale-face language, she could sing 

white sister songs ; 
She it was to whom acknowledged he that right and 

wrong have tongues. 
He was wise within his domain, ruled with firm and 

iron hand; 
Owned his slaves, his furs and igloos, and the kashims 

for his land, 
Where he entertained the strangers who had journeyed 

from afar; 
And where slept the many young men, to avert wrong's 

searing scar. 
Now in prayer and meditation, long she knelt beside 

the bed : 
Many came and gazed in silence, fearing much that she 

was dead, — 
For her face, where it showed slightly, was as pale, and 

cold as stone 
But they touched her not for fearing they would find 

her spirit flown. 
Only once in all these hours did a hand in rudeness 

dare 
To grip the shoulder tightly, to discern if life was 
there. 



6o AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

It was he who would be Chieftain, when this fleeting 
life ebbed out : 

It was he who swore to claim her, — ^all objections put 
to rout. 

She had scorned his every pleading, yet her heart was 
doubly kind, 

For she'd smile on him as others, through her gentle- 
ness of mind. 

Now she rose and laid her soft hand on her father's 

brow, so cold, — 
While she knelt here he had left her with his Chief- 
tain's spirit bold. 
Bitter tears sprang to her eyelids, but she dried them 

hastily. 
She must show her weakness never, she would act quite 

stoically ; 
But her daughter's heart bled deeply, she had lost a 

father, friend! 
Who was there now to protect her, who such strength 

and goodness lend? 
Only once her thoughts did wander to her pale-face 

friend, near by, — 
In the face of all her sorrow, would he tarry, would he 

fly? 
But her woman's instinct told her that no threat of 

deadliest foe, 
Could make less his liking for her even if he had to go. 

Thus their great Chief, Amugannock, from the nature 
of his death. 



DEATH OF CHIEF AMUGANNOCK 6i 

Passed to worlds beneath their own world, but of 

power was not bereft : 
He would come again in spirit, keenly guide them in 

the chase; 
He would lead them on to conquer any warring hostile 

race. 
Through the roof they raised the rough box; hewn 

from trees with the stone adz 
In which lay his body, covered with the gifts of these 

nomads, — 
Stones and bow and arrows, clothing, amulets, and 

shells and beads : 
These were sacred to his people ; and would meet with 

all his needs. 
From this old w^orld to his new one, lend him strength 

to fight his foes, 
Resurrecting all his knowledge and add much to what 

he knows. 
Out upon the well known tundra on a mound they 

placed him high, 
Raised a totem shaft to comfort, 'neath the Hawk and 

Raven's eye. 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK III 



CHOOSING A NEW CHIEF 

NOW to choose a great successor, worthy of the 
name of Chief : 
Tests were planned, as custom warranted to the 

best of their beHef. 
Tuluksaka was the foremost in the feats of trying 

strength : 
His it was whose arrow never missed the mark at 

greatest length; 
His the foot that was the fleetest, his the eye of keenest 

sight ; 
He it was who challenged boldly, and had never lost a 

fight. 
In the chase he bagged the great bear that roams 

through the underbrush ; 
Brought the deer to earth so surely with swift arrow in 

its rush; 
And fleet mountain sheep he captured, as in craggy 

heights they'd roam; 
And the ground-hog did he waylay, when it wandered 

from its home. 
In the stalking of the great moose, his sure skill knew 

no defeat, 
And in spearing wily northfish none with him could 

well compete. 
He was sure of aim in striking with great strength to 

land them safe, 

65 



66 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And like the Great Alexander, still for new feats did 

he chafe. 
Challenged he the men in speaking, challenged them in 

song and dance ; 
Challenged them to brave dread suffering: wild his 

boasts through insolence. 
Then he gave to all the people, share and share alike of 

beads ; 
Gave them stones and shells he'd gathered, thus to 

emphasize his deeds. 
Thus though every testing tried they, Tuluksaka was 

the first, 
And there could be no misgivings — he for dominance 

was athirst. 
So they named him Chieftain ever, and a lodge they 

set apart, 
As a token of his power, and the greatness of his heart. 

On the tenth day from the burial, all the native women 

here. 
Took the fasting obligation; some from duty, some 

from fear. 
Sixty days as was the custom, scant the food that 

graced their plate. 
But exempt from arduous labor; o'er his deeds must 

contemplate. 
In the meantime many envoys went to foreign tribes 

to tell 
Of the death of their great Chieftain, and to laud their 

choice right well. 
To the Sitka tribe they traveled, and then to the 

Yakutat; 



CHOOSING A NEW CHIEF 67 

Roamed they through the Thlingit country, so toward 

the brave Klawak ; 
Eskimos, the Togish, Tongas, and also their friends 

Ah-Tena ; 
Traveled they in fleetest fashion to the empire of the 

Huma ; 
Told the Hydad, and the Chilcot, told the fleet of foot 

the Kuyu; 
Thus conveyed their news in sorrow to the tribe of the 

Taku ; 
Over to the Wrangel nation, the Aleut, and to the Auk ; 
The Killisnoos heard their story, so in sorrow did the 

Rake : 
All agreed, as was the custom, to take part in their 

great meet, 
Pay respects to the departed, and the living Chieftain 

greet. 

As the days wore on in number, filled our traveler's 

heart with awe ; 
Deep his interest in this people, wondering much at 

what he saw. 
For he had postponed his journey in the midst of their 

great grief ; 
And to mourn with Yonatchna, now deprived of father, 

Chief! 
All the livelong day he wandered through the valleys, 

o'er the hill, 
With his trusty dog and rifle, thus the dragging hours 

to fill. 
Many were the deer he landed, packed them to his 

native friends ; 



68 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Caught the hahbut and sahnon, — hoping thus to make 

amends 
For the kindness they had shown him when he needed 

help the most : 
Though they felt distrust for strangers, still they 

proved the willing host. 

It was on the day he wandered, that he came upon her 

there, 
Kneeling low beside the rough box, lost in agony of 

prayer. 
Here her father lay so lonely ; had her God forsook her 

quite ! 
Would her earnestness in praying ever bring him back 

to sight ? 
For a moment he stood watching the lone form con- 
vulsed with grief. 
Then in sympathy strode nearer in the hope to grant 

relief : 
Wild she sprang up at his footsteps, like the startled 

deer from rest; 
Turned and gazed in pained wonder ; heaving was her 

maiden's breast. 
Standing there at bay a moment, just as if to ward 

a blow; 
Lost her mind to all things earthly, in her face there 

was no glow. 
Now the native blood was upmost, she in silence heard 

his speech; 
Backward stepping as approached he, always keeping 

out of reach. 



CHOOSING A NEW CHIEF 69 

She was dressed in native miiskrat that hung loose 

from neck to feet ; 
And a hat made from the spruce roots hung down from 

her head so neat. 
But her eyes grew fiercer, fiercer, and as flint were set 

and stern, 
Deep with passion were their black depths, and with 

dark contempt did burn. 
Down her features ran the sorrow that had carved its 

way outright 
From the heart which was the fountain of this agoniz- 
ing fight. 
Stolid in her bare demeanor, ignoring quite the past 

she showed, — 
Where her beauty captured surely, where her wondrous 

rich words roved. 
He was stunned and stood there silent; and for pity, 

what the count? 
Half his eyes accused of lying that he might this shock 

surmount ; 
Cut adrift was all his hoping that had pledged his soul's 

requite, — 
She was only just a native, and could never know his 

light. 
"Yonatchna, fairest maiden," sent wild riot to her 

soul; 
Though his w^ords were tender, loving; still his voice 

bore reason's roll. 
"I have come out here to greet you, I have come to 

make it plain, 
That the sorrow you have suffered finds a sympathizing 

strain 



70 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Through my heart that holds you sacred, though you 

doubt my words at best ; 
In these long days you were hidden, my poor soul could 

find no rest ! 
I have waited here to tell you, that in all the years to 

come, 
Yours will be the image with me, wheresoever I may 

roam !" 
Milder grew her eyes while listening to the words that 

meant so much, 
But she gave herself no gesture that the man might 

heed and touch ! 
Silence reigned, while hearts beat wildly, mute confes- 
sions came and went ; 
But the barrier was perfect, as her native challenge 

sent. 
Backward, backward, slowly backward, moved she 

farther from his sight, 
Till the shrubbery hid her from him, and made plain 

his direct plight : 
Lost she was to him forever; his way lay along the 

trail, 
Hers to live ever in anguish and her future to curtail. 

While his heated brain ran rampant down the resolve 

that was set. 
Shriveled up his full intentions, he this maid could not 

forget : 
Almost lost he thus his purpose, — she was still before 

his eyes, — 
As he saw her praying silent when she sprang up in 

surprise. 



CHOOSING A NEW CHIEF 71 

Thus the morrow found him thinking, what was left 

to do for him, 
Only to fulfill his purpose, and mush to the Kus- 

kokwim. 

Tuluksaka, sought he early, for this Chieftain he must 

see: 
Offered money for his keeping with a sense of surety. 
Stern the face that met him squarely, deep the eyes set 

in his head ; 
Cold of speech, and set of purpose, — these the arrow 

words that sped : 
''You have come here as a stranger ; you were sick ; we 

took you in. 
Nursed you back to strength and gave you what protec- 
tion you could win, 
Now your path lies o'er the mountains, by to-morrow 

you must go! 
Let your exit now be final, and by this you then can 

show 
You thank us; for your money it is nothing to our 

eyes; 
All your speech is but deception, your contention basest 

lies." 
Turned his back toward our traveler, closing thus the 

interview, 
As the native custom always, when with speaking they 

are through. 
Here our traveler stood a moment, while the hot blood 

swept his soul. 
Strung his nerves to highest tension, from these insults 

manifold : 



72 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

"Curse this devil of an Indian," and his brow grew 

dark with hate; 
But he turned and left him standing, "Let the devil 

meet his fate." 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK IV 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 

FAR towards the southern heavens rose the sun 
to greet the earth, 
Cold its face that leered towards them and 

its rays of little worth ; 
Deep the snow lay o'er the landscape, shrouding every 

hill in white : 
Playing havoc with the trail-ways, lighting up the 

darkest night. 
Slow the temperature was shrinking, — it was forty-two 

below, 
And the ravenous frost bit deeply all life moving to 

and fro. 
Gone were all the flowers and foliage that had made 

the summer bright : 
And the gladsome sunny day-time shrank before this 

wintry blight. 
O'er the mountains to this village, that lay on Susitna's 

stretch, 
Coursed the natives, as their promise, to attend the 

great potlatch, 
With their dog teams and their snow shoes, wending 

on their way in peace 
Bearing emblematic tokens, that their friendship might 

increase. 

75 



y(^ AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

In this Athabascan village where fair Yonatchna dwelt, 
'Twas a cold December found them, all upon their work 

intent : 
Large new Kashims that the Chieftain willed to house 

their many friends 
Had been planned, were now completed well to meet 

intended ends. 
All the wood beads in the carving had been colored 

with much taste, 
And the ornamented native bone in moose-hide shields 

were cased; 
Rarest teeth and shells were strung on thongs as amu- 
lets to wear 
About the neck, on arms and legs, and in the jet black 

hair; 
And copper nuggets, which they worked in wonderful 

design, 
Were set in trays carved from the wood of tamarack 

and pine ; 
Great stores of fish and caribou, of moose so choice to 

eat. 
Were smoked and dried, and laid away with which 

their friends to greet. 

Tuluksaka proved himself a wise, efficient Chief, 

He ruled them with an iron hand, but still would grant 

relief : — 
He took his share of all the pelts they brought in from 

the hunt, 
Exacting much, he gave them much, but would not 

stand affront; 
His massive frame of giant size, a symbol to them all 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING y-j 

That they must Hve the Hfe he wished, or 'neath his 

hatred fall. 
Fair Yonatchna was his choice, and he this mandate 

gave : 
That she would be his wife ere long, or serve him as 

a slave! 
Full many a night she lay awake and wept sore, bitter 

tears ; 
Full many a day each hour would seem an agony of 

years ; 
The sad wan face had lost its smile, the eyes their lustre 

too, 
And all that sprightly grace so rare had vanished from 

their view. 
Bold Tuluksaka saw not this — at least he gave no sign, 
Nor not a loving word he spoke to make her young life 

shine : — 
For natives have a heart as we, and feel the love flush 

creep 
About the heart and through the form, and o'er the 

features leap. 
They too can feel the tenderness that quickens all the 

soul, 
That makes their world look brighter far, their men 

of purer mould. 

From down Susitna's Valley came the first party of 

friends, 
Bearing the Thlingit banner high, where this their 

journey ends. 
First came the snow-shoe men ahead, to tramp new 

fallen snow. 



78 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And laboriously they plodded on, while making head- 
way slow ; 

Behind them, following hot their tracks, came twelve 
dogs in one line. 

Hitched to a native sled that bore their robes and gifts 
so fine; 

Five natives in their regalia formed thus the traveling 
crew, 

From their far distant village home they'd pushed their 
long way through. 

For several days, through storm and frost, these dusky 
envoys came; 

And each was dressed in his own style, as such became 
his fame. 

Tuluksaka, in robes of state, bade each a welcome 
here, 

Insured them of his friendliness to show they'd naught 
to fear. 

Keen-eyed and cautious in their sense, from bloody 
tribal wars, 

Bearing the proof of struggles fierce, as showed by 
many scars 

That much disfigured face and neck; and lent each a 
distrust, 

That second nature had enforced from many a back- 
ward thrust. 

Here enemy met enemy on this a neutral ground; 

But through a custom's loyalty in peace they must 
abound. 

And so we find the several tribes, to mourn a Chief- 
tain's death. 

Were gathered here in courtesy as tribal laws attest. 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 79 

Fair Yonatchna, queen of all, known for her native 
grace, 

To many tribesmen who had won her talisman in the 
race, — 

Was Hot in evidence to share the greeting that they 
brought, 

From all their people to this tribe, so they her pres- 
ence sought. 

In answer to the questions asked, her native tribes- 
men plead, 

That she was mourning for her Chief and father who 
was dead ; 

She could not see them now, they said, but ere they 
took their leave, 

'Twould be a pleasure then to send her greetings to 
their Chief. 

So finally the last had come from far Aleutian shores. 
Forming a goodly gathering here of natives with their 

lores, 
These they would chant at this conclave, in memory 

of their tribes, 
And seek again to taunt the evil spirits with their 

jibes; 
For all believed it rarest truth, that spirits in their 

wrath, 
Were still among them day and night, camped on their 

very path 
To intercept their full success, to cheat them of the 

race, 
To bring an evil to their lives when they entered the 

chase ; 



8o AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And so they'd burn their incense long, and wail their 

hatred loud. 
Thus to drive off the evil ones and their attendant 

cloud. 

The Chieftain gathered one and all the nobles to his 
side; 

And there the shamnvans stood apart in one great cir- 
cle wide; 

The natives all had gathered too, that they might view 
the meet, 

And, with misgivings that were real, their visitors then 
greet : 

From ancient time the custom ran to kill sufficient 
slaves 

On meets like this, to lay them bare upon the dead 
ones' graves, 

That they might serve their masters well in that mys- 
terious life, 

Where pain was not, and sin was dead, and happiness 
was rife. 

The Chieftain rose, and silence fell while Tuluksaka 

spoke, 
And careful were the words he chose that none he 

need revoke : 
'T call upon the spirits all — of ours, and of our 

friends ; 
I call upon the Great White Light to sanction well 

our ends. 
Our gathering here of purpose true, — we of ourselves 

are naught, — 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 8i 

But you, the spirits that abound, have well our path- 
way fraught 
With good and evil deeds. 

So now we worship all the good, — 
We gladly pay in tributes that will fill you well with 

food. 
See, we have here a goodly host, and our dear Chief- 
tain may 
Come calmly in and feel the warmth as though it were 

bright day. 
We have no sins but that the fire will quench them 

every one; 
The spirits will detect the one who seeks his sins to 

shun. 
I stand here now before my friends, and make it plain 

to all, 
That these our worthy shammans there will answer 

quick the call 
For help to heal the sick, to drive the vilest spirits of¥ ; 
And woe to him who comes to plead, and then returns 

to scoff. 
And here, my friends, my truest friends, those whom 

I shall claim as mine. 
If aught of you a grievance have — I hope none will 

decline — 
He shall come forth and make it plain, and all my 

nobles here. 
Will well detect the one at fault, and punishment 

severe 
Will meted be, with no escape, for by our dead Chiefs 

grave 
I swore all this, but yesterday. 



82 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And so my friends, I crave 
Your will, and the good spirit's will, to point us out 

the slaves 
iWho shall, in duty to their Chief, prove that they are 

not knaves, 
But here submit to that one death to glorify their end, 
And serve their Chief in other worlds, and there his 

life defend." 
He paused a moment in his speech, and searched well 

every face 
That filled that Kashim full throughout its every foot 

of space; 
Discerning not the one he sought, he raised his hand 

on high. 
Like some great cruel fiend, who now the thumb- 
screws would apply, — 
*T speak it here to all my friends, and with the spirits 

plead, 
I of a wife and helpmate, surely stand greatly in need. 
There is but one that fills my wish, and let the spirits 

frown 
If so they wish, — conserve I thus my dear dead Chief's 

renown. 
She is the daughter of our Chief, who now lies down 

below : 
Sweet and fairest Yonatchna, on her my hand bestow." 
A murmur of excitement ran throughout that anxious 

crowd ; 
But Tuluksaka stood there still, his manner firm and 

proud. 
*Tf she will wed me not," and here his voice grew hard 

as flint, 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 83 

*'She then must serve me as a slave, and bear the slave's 
imprint." 

That night when the assembly broke, and all the friends 

v^ere pledged, 
And every heart was satiate with forms and vows 

alleged : 
A spirit of excitement moved among that multi- 
tude, 
For this the night to choose the slaves who'd drink 

death's noxious food. 
And when the sun had screened her light for the rich 

eventide. 
And thrown her purple glory o'er the landscape far 

and wide, 
They drove them to the great corral, — a place stained 

long ago — 
And here stood Tuluksaka with the shammans in a 

row. 
Here all the slaves who served the Chief who now had 

passed away. 
Were singled out, that they might thus preclude the 

least delay. 

Five of the oldest slaves, and so, the ones of greatest 

prize, 
Were named as trophys to appease and quell the spirits' 

cries ; 
For on the morrow, when the sun was sinking to her 

rest, 
To their dead Chief these slaves would speed and fill 

his one behest. 



84 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Among them was an older slave, who'd served his 
master well, 

One who was born to slavedom and had passed 
through fires of hell ; 

He stood erect, compassionate at this his new Chief's 
whim ; 

But not a word he uttered here, nor cast a glance at 
him — 

A stoic in its truest sense, — no hurt could force the 
cry; 

And just but once throughout his varied life the heart- 
broke sigh 

Escaped him in a moment when his agony intense 

Swept o'er him to unman him with its dire recom- 
pense : — 

His son had dealt a deadly blow to one who gave insult, 

And he was hacked to pieces as the law's severe 
result. 

The news of their Chief's choice now reached fair 

Yonatchna's ears, 
And through that gentle heart there ran a multitude of 

fears ; 
"To-morrow I must brave his wrath, and plead for this 

one life: 
To-morrow, I will break his will, and show him how 

a knife 
Can be thrust in the heart to deal a deadly, wicked 

blow, 
Just as he gave to me a thrust not many days ago. 
To-morrow, and to-morrow," here the voice died in 

despair, 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 85 

The head bowed low again in grief that seemed beyond 

repair. 
Full well she knew that she was marked a victim by 

her Chief; 
But still her maiden heart rebelled in wrath, though 

full of grief ! 
Why should she give her life to him who could not win 

her love ; 
Or palliate the gross insult 'gainst which her goodness 

strove ? 
Her pride ebbed up in one great wave and dashed her 

fears to ground, 
And fiercely swept her being through till she was cap- 
tive bound : 
Gone was the gentleness of soul which thralled her 

worshipers ; 
And o'er her face the hard lines crept which lent her 

courage spurs ; 
The native cunning swept within to supersede the 

calm, 
And every movement of her friends was gauged with 

dire alarm : — 
She would not tolerate a move but what her senses 

caught, 
And her fears surged her through till they a world of 
hatred wrought. 

The old slave now condemned to death had served her 

many years, 
Had stood between her and all harm, thus to allay her 

fears ; 
Almost a father in his love, a mother in his care,— 



86 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

His gentleness had thus endeared him to this heart, so 

rare. 
She Hved again the Hfe when she had left her home 

in youth — 
A child then in her innocence, born of a tribe un- 
couth. 
With rapid thought she brought to life that space of 

time again 
When she was sent to learn the lore taught by the pale- 
face man ; 
And then those years spent in the task unfitting her to 

live 
Among her people here again — for she could never 

give 
The same hard service that her sisters gave as custom 

made, — 
To slave from morn till latest night, because they were 

afraid. 
Then next would come the cutting lash, which she had 

oft seen fall, 
And at the word of cruel lords the slaves were forced 

to crawl. 
Now Tuluksaka stood again, as thus her vision 

wrought. 
His hated presence poisoned all the good within her 

heart. 
His very voice had shriveled up the kind words she 

would speak. 
For he had proved himself the cur by punishing the 

weak. 
And then the face of her dear friend, the traveler met 

that day, 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 87 

Fate brought him here to tempt her love ; but would not 

let him stay. 
How stout of heart, how strong of limb, how tender 

were his words; 
How holy sweet was this impulse, what memory it 

affords ! 
She pictured him again when first he came into her 

hfe, 
When his young energy was spent upon the trail of 

strife; 
He looked so careworn, that her heart bled for this 

youth, alone 
Struggling to compass a hope that led him far from 

home; 
How manly were his attributes, how pure the words 

he spoke ; 
How quick to flash a challenge back if doubt ever 

awoke, — 
In the one aim that prompted him to speak, or do a 

deed ; 
And had he not proved a staunch friend when most 

she was in need ? 
And now her heart leapt to new life, when once again 

she vied 
With sweet remembrance tried to trace the time, when 

by her side, 
He led the converse on and on, to show her his true 

heart : 
How strong it beat to manly aims, how eager to im- 
part 
The real terse feeling that he had for her dear friend- 
ship's sake, 



88 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And how his hope was born on wings and kept his soul 

awake. 
And then again beside the grave, how sad his words 

and strange, 
That he should here protest his love midst her deep, 

bitter pangs ; 
Emotion rose to riot now and, leaping to her feet, 
She struck her breast in vowing now that nothing but 

defeat 
Could meet this Tuluksaka when he asked her heart 

and hand — 
To be his wife, and live with him in this her father- 
land. 
'Ture shall my love remain for him, and when he shall 

return, 
My heart will meet his heart half way, and with great 

joy will burn." 
The morning had passed through the hours that 

brought the noontime here; 
And through the ordeal that would come, not one least 

twinge of fear 
Could gain an entrance to her heart, — for her resolve 

was set : 
Come what there might in her whole life, she never 

would forget 
That her pure heart would rise triumphant, as they 

taught it would, 
When battling for a righteous cause through a death- 
dealing flood. 

The men without her igloo, tramped incessantly all 
day; 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 89 

She kept within her confines well, and silently did 

pray 
To the one God, whom they had taught would 

strengthen every soul, 
And cleanse the bitterness from those who wished to 

be made whole. 
A gentle knock without the door, a signal to her 

brought 
And up she raised, a convert now to this new truth 

they taught : 
And now her face shone with new life, her eyes were 

bright and clear, 
And through her animated form the pulsing flash of 

cheer 
Ran, as the sunbeams run to light the darkest ways 

of earth. 
And turn the coldest spots that frown to a rebounding 

mirth. 
**I come," she said, and opened wide the door which 

led without ; 
And on her ears smote revelry that ended with a shout. 
She made her way directly on toward the great 

Kashim, 
Nor paused she here a moment's time, but boldly strode 

within. 

The surging crowd made way for her as to the front 
she went. 

And stood without the circle there,— which dire sug- 
gestion lent. 

She knew that every eye was firmly fixed upon her 
face; 



90 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

She knew that many men within would gladly take 

her place, 
If they felt sure within themselves that they could win 

her fight; 
But courage in a woman's heart, has naught to do with 

might : 
They do not measure this or that; no obstacle's too 

great 
For their assault, having made sure that there is no 

mistake. 
As she stood there in her own strength, her father's 

image wrought, 
His great, brave spirit lived again, and to their senses 

brought 
The man and Chief to them once more and their hearts 

leapt to aid 
Her in her fight, for she was brave, and stood there 

unafraid. 
There to the left the five slaves stood, the shammans 

to the right; 
And full before her Tuluksaka towered to his great 

height. 
Behind him sat his nobles all, the very men she knew 
Did have but kindly thoughts for her, whom she loved 

all life through. 

*'My friends, I stand here as your Chief, the keeper of 
my tribe; 

'Tis not for me, or aught of you our customs to de- 
ride." 

And here he cast a full, long glance at Yonatchna's 
face, 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 91 

As though her features true the secret of her heart 

might trace. 
"These honest slaves have signified their v^illingness to 

die: 
No thongs to bind them captives down : in fact each 

one will vie 
To meet his end unflinchingly, and leave such record 

here, 
That not the least of native men have aught in death 

to fear. 
If there be one among us here who dares the spirits' 

wrath, 
To plead the fate of the least one; if that one reason 

hath 
Why now he should not meet that death to serve their 

master hence, 
Let him speak forth, but let him mark the future conse- 
quence." 

The room grew still as death is still, while the Chief 
took his seat. 

Then stepped forth Yonatchna quickly to ward off 
defeat ; 

She spoke in low, deep, even tones and every ear was 
strained, 

And every eye was turned on her, and every soul re- 
strained, — 

"Our reigning Chief, and my dear friends, and you 
our visitors. 

Think not that 1 come here to pose as your inquisitors ; 

When I was young, so very young, that scarcely I 
could walk 



92 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And I knew not a mother's care, for death, led by the 

hawk, 
Took her from me, 'twas then I knew a gentle, but 

firm hand 
To guide my cause, and watch o'er me, to make me 

understand. 
He was a slave, my father's slave, and so he was my 

slave, 
They sent me to the Mission then, and I attention 

crave 
That I might plead the cause of one, and make my 

pleading plain 
To all who listen to my voice, — I will not long detain. 
They sent me to the Mission, where I loved a God of 

grace. 
They taught me there a God who loves the entire hu- 
man race; 
A God who is so great and good that He can compre- 
hend 
The smallest mite of sinning and will love man to the 

end. 
They taught me that 'twas wrong to steal, and that 

'twas wrong to lie. 
And those who live uprightly here should never fear 

to die; 
They taught equality in men, and that the life God 

gave — 
Be he Chief or King, or white or black, or freeman 

or a slave — 
Was truly sacred, and for Him alone to choose his end. 
And you, my Chief, what right have you to kill my 

slave and friend ? 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 93 

I call upon your tarnished life the wrath of this great 

God, 
And here I prophesy to all, that low beneath the rod 
Of persecution you will bow; you'll be a slave in- 
stead, 
Now let the consequences fall upon my uncrowned 

head! 
I call upon my father's friends to note my words 

aright, 
I call upon his spirit here to hold me to the light — 
He does not ask that these slaves here should feel the 

traitorous knives. 
And I dare you, our coward Chief, to rob them of their 

lives ; 
You are too low to crawl upon your hands and knees 

to them 
Whom you class as unworthy slaves, though in the 

form of men. 
You here did boast that you would claim me as your 

lawful wife, 
And if I scorned your base demand, a slave for all my 

life 
To you I'd be. 

Well do your worst: but hear me still, you 

knave, 
I'd rather serve the lowest man, and be to him a slave. 
Than ever stoop so low to let your vile hand touch my 

flesh; 
Or condescend to have you know my maiden's sacred- 

ness! 
I here defy you openly ; and by my father's soul 
I here proclaim you lower far than any low down mole. 



94 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

I nigh could curse you as I stand before the Most High 

God, 
For so I hate you in my soul, and dare you wield your 

rod." 
They led her to her igloo door, and gently urged her 

in; 
While in the Kashim Tuluksaka sat morose and grim. 

The female persons of the land were held in poor es- 
teem; 
They were the work-abouts on which the men-folks 

cast their spleen. 
And that a one of them should dare to desecrate their 

hall,— 
Their superstitions riot ran thus to bespeak their 

fall. 
Great Tuluksaka rose to speak, a steel glint in his eye, 
And every ear was strained to hear how he would 

make reply: 
For Yonatchna, they well knew, had won full many a 

heart 
Among the braves and visitors who fain would take 

her part ; 
And he well knew 'twas not himself alone who ruled 

the tribe : 
But what his nobles thought was best, — with them he 

must decide. 
*'But yesterday/' he thus began, his anger rising fast, 
*T visited the holy place, and there my offering cast; 
Up rose the spirit of the dead, — of Amugannock, Chief 
Who was, and who now is the great, and I besought 

relief, 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 95 

And this he said to me, 'Go thou and kill five slaves 
that I 

Might feel again the prestige power, and with my 
brethren vie/ 

By the great spirit of the Hawk, by the fierce light of 
day, 

And by the prestige power of wealth, and by the spirits' 
sway, 

I now demand that these five slaves shall fill their mas- 
ter's wish. 

And bring contentment to our tribe. 

As for that traitorous kiss 

That now was shown to be a curse by Yonatchna here. 

My nobles will advise with me. 

My friends, there is no fear 

But that full justice will be done; for no she dog can 
link 

Herself with us and cause dispute, and leave that last- 
ing stink 

Of dogs which bite the gentle hand with which we fed 
them first ; 

I pray the mighty spirits here to make her life accursed, 

And that the fiercest pangs of pain will sear her very 
heart 

Till she a loathsome spectacle, falls every bone apart.'' 

As he stood there not one hand moved, not one eye 

flashed a sign, 
And not a man in that conclave showed aught his trend 

of mind. 
Stung to the quick at this defeat, he walked straight to 

the slave, 



96 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Whom Yonatchna had plead for, and, with a vengeance 

gave 
Him one sharp slap upon the face with the back of his 

hand, 
To show his hatred deeper still than words at his com- 
mand. 
Back to the place from whence he spoke he strode with 

anger wild. 
Yet was his cunning uppermost his guests to reconcile. 
*'My dearest friends I here implore that you would pass 

this by: 
We have met here to bind our faith, and silence the 

war-cry. 
I deep regret these happenings, and for my nobles here, 
And for my tribe grouped here about, I offer you good 

cheer. 
To-morrow is the fasting day. 

And so to-night we meet 
To summons all the spirits here, with loyalty to greet, 
And to combat the evil ones in all the fulsome sense ; 
So now the shammans will begin to burn their sweet 

incense : 
But ere we thus invoke the gods, these slaves must 

leave our sight. 
And let them curse the very one who thus prolonged 

their plight." 
Within the charmed circle wide the shammans took 

command 
And for the space of many days joy rang throughout 

the land. 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 97 

Fair Yonatchna left alone within her own igloo, 
Spent many hours of awful thought on what she had 

passed through. 
Wronged was her sense of womanhood, though full 

her sense of grace, 
For her great joy in what she did had left a glowing 

trace. 
Once and for all this new-made Chief must gauge his 

attitude. 
And treat her with severe restraint, since knowing how 

she stood. 

She sank upon her fur-robed floor, a penance to per- 
form, 

While in her heart still deeply raged the fury of the 
storm : 

Racked deep with doubts in her own mind as to her fit- 
ness here. 

To come before the great high God in purity sin- 
cere 

And ask for aught close to her heart, for sinning she 
might be, — 

For darkness still ruled half her life, through native 
pedigree. 

'*0h. Mighty Spirit, God, I mean, the God I learned to 
love. 

Look down in all Thy pity, now from Thy home up 
above. 

And watch o'er him who's gone away, I know not 
where he strays ; 

But watch o'er him, I love him so, and will through 
all my days ! 



98 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Oh, bring him back to me again, for he is staunch and 

true. 
And he can help me now so much with what I must go 

through." 

A noise without her igloo door, and quickly up she 

sprang 
But stood a-trembling, as the sound increased from 

knock to bang. 
And louder still the tumult came, her name she clearly 

heard, 
"Hello," she called out timidly, and waited for the 

word 
That would reply. 

'T've got a letter, so dismiss all fear, 
From Harold Brown, you know the man, the one you 

nursed last year." 
And quickly she unlatched the door, and bid him come 

within. 
**And do you sure know Mr. Brown, and how is it with 

him?" 
Her joy showed through her every word and set her 

eyes on fire; 
It roved throughout her being swift and claimed her 

now entire. 
She bade him sit upon the robe, that lay upon the floor. 
And brought forth moose-meat dried in strips to pay 

this golden score. 
'Twas naught to her that he sat there, a stranger to 

her sight. 
Enough for her to know that he had brought this new 

delight. 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING 99 

He looked upon her in surprise, at her excited mood : 

Still in the dark, much he surmised, but much he under- 
stood. 

He knew the Indian custom well, so ate the proffered 
meat, 

And promising to call again, he then made his re- 
treat. 

Left all alone, she first made fast the door that led 
without. 

And glanced about the room, from fear and trembling 
much in doubt. 

Her shaking fingers scarce could hold the letter as she 
read 

Her name scrawled in a firm young hand, which much 
her fancy fed; 

She feared to tear the envelope, perhaps the message 
there 

Was not the love note that she wished, for that would 
be too rare. 

Perhaps this missive was to tell her something he for- 
got,— 

And thus she sat a victim to her own most anxious 
thought. 

Doubts came and went, fears found their birth, and 
died when faith arose, 

Then love sprang to the aid of faith and lent her sweet 
repose : 

So wistfully she opened now, the first in all her life, 

This letter that had quite caused her such passing, bit- 
ter strife. 

''Fair Yonatchna," thus it ran, "my dearest maiden 
fair, 



100 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

I have desire to write to you, 'midst all my worldly 
care, 

I find my every moment now is full of love for you ; 

And that the brightest stars that shine from that far 
dome of blue, 

Seem not so bright as did your eyes; and not so pure 
a light 

Does radiant fresh morning give as did your soul that 
night 

When first you let me look within, and hear those ring- 
ing words, 

That battled hard for mastery, and cut like gleaming 
swords. 

How is it with you, sweet my love? For I am ever 
bold 

To reach far out and win that heart that pales the 
purest gold 

In its rare fineness; do not think that I have e'er for- 
got 

The poignant happy moments there, beside that sacred 
plot 

Where lay your father, and your Chief ; and then you 
ran away; 

But you would not do that again, for soon will come a 
day 

When I will come again to you, and you will under- 
stand 

That love is all, and life is sweet when love is in com- 
mand. 

I left you then because I knew that you would be alone, 

And that your custom taught that you at this time must 
atone 



YONATCHNA'S PLEADING loi 

For him who died ! But, dearest girl, let this thought 

live with you 
From that day that I last saw you, I've been sincerely 

true. 
And when the day comes, as it will, that I can feel 

your love, 
God will have smiled supreme on me from His throne 

there above. 
Good bye, good bye, and think of me, as I will think of 

you; 
And ere the season has been spent, we'll greetings give 

anew." 

She read and re-read every word, and traced the 

thoughts with care. 
Lest she might miss the sweetness that his pure heart 

had put there. 
This was the holiest night that ever her fair life had 

known, 
She reveled in a wonderland that his dear love had 

shown. 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK V 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE 



WHEN morning broke, the restless sleep re- 
treated from her eyes, 
And she sprang from her hide-dressed couch 

in wondering surprise; 
There burned the simple light by which she read of 

his pure love ; 
While from without she plainly heard the treading 

footsteps rove 
By her small igloo, now in haste, and now with patient 

tread ; 
And then again the great ordeal through which her 

young heart bled 
Rushed over her; and deep again her outraged anger 

rose, 
And hatred made her slave once more. 

"Did her Chief dare suppose 
For one brief moment he could win the least shade of 

her love, 
And did he think that honor was the last thing reck- 
oned of?" 
No, he might treat her with contempt, or deal her base 

insult ; 
But gladly true her steadfast soul knew well the sure 

result, — 
For not her Chief should know her charms, or sap 

her holy life; 

105 



io6 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

God gave her tliese, and she would guard with the 

keen cutting knife 
Of her resolve, and hew the line straight with her 

sacred love — 
He could not feel this fine instinct that armed her from 

above ; 
Nor could he know her abhorence to thus be bound 

a slave, 
That would in time make her servile to dictates of a 

knave. 
No, she would fight with all her strength, and treat 

with direst scorn 
The least suspicious acts of him whose aim was e'er 

base born. 
She stepped without her igloo door, and looked o'er 

hill and swale ; 
She saw the wintry garb of white, fair as a bridal veil 
Upon the vastness of the scene, spread out before her 

eyes. 
Steeped in the beauty of her hopes, and glinting with 

sun dyes. 
Outward her rich thoughts floated on, and beat against 

the skies 
'Neath which there labored for her sake, he of the 

deep blue eyes — 
Of all the men that she could know, the best that e'er 

would live, 
To him she gave her wealth of love, she would her 

beauty give. 

Outside the village confines stood a tent beside the 
trail. 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE 107 

And from its stove-pipe curled the smoke with move- 
ment of a snail, 
And hung in one great cloud above. 

No other sign of life 
Could she detect, but well she knew that here in active 

strife 
Dwelt her lone friend who was so loyal as to fulfill 

his word 
And bring the message from her love. So she could 

well afford 
To risk what censure might befall and call upon him 

there. 
So hastily she took some food which she prepared with 

care. 
As a thank offering thus to show she counted him a 

friend, 
And that his wants she would supply, and his stay 

here defend. 
She walked in haste along the trail till she had reached 

his tent. 
Oh, that the one inside might gauge the depth of her 

intent. 
She hardly knew now what to do, her courage almost 

failed, — 
Dare she disclose her presence here ? 

Her ruddy cheeks now paled. 
And she was trembling half from fear at her au- 
dacity ; 
Then boldly picked her courage up to meet what chance 

might be. 
*'See, I have brought you here some food, that I have 

well prepared 



lo8 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

That you may understand that I would wish your 

trouble spared; 
For it is hard to cook one's food when one is on the 

trail ; 
And you will understand, I know, that I can never 

fail 
To thank you, oh, so kindly, sir, for what you did for 

him 
Who now is somewhere over there along the Kusko- 

kwim." 

The tent-flap raised, as thus she spake, and there upon 

the ground 
Sat her new friend, and with him one whose hands and 

feet were bound. 
In answer to her startled gaze replied he casually, 
*'He froze his hands and feet, back there, you see," and, 

pausing here, 
He bade her enter, and quick too the proffered food 

she brought. 
''And thank you miss for bringing this, for we are 

surely caught 
In a bad place. 

You see we aimed to reach the river's mouth, 
And then return before the sun had crawled up from 

the south. 
But now," and here his face grew grave with doubting, 

and with pain, 
"I fear me much that my friend here will never bear 

the strain 
Of this long mush, that's hard at best. 

His feet are frozen bad ; 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE 109 

And you must know 'tis many a mile before help can 
be had : 

Unless," and turning to her full, so he could catch 
her eye, 

"Unless your folks would lend a hand in this our pass- 
ing by." 

She hesitated ere she spoke and looked him earnestly, 
TheQ paused a while, and he could see the wish creep 

wistfully 
About the rounded cheek and down toward the trem- 
bling chin. 
Traced by the tears that rolled fast from her eyes 'cross 

dusky skin — 
"Yes, I wall aid you all I can, and I have friends who'll 

be 
A present help in your dire strait, for they can surely 

see 
That help is needed at this time. But you will me 

obey 
And never tell to any one that you fetched yesterday 
The letter that my friend sent me ; for things would go 

amiss. 
The Chieftain here is venomous, and he would resent 

this; 
And your friend would find suffering upon my own 

account : — 
Things are not as they used to be. If he knew, he 

would doubt." 

And shortly afterward she came, and deftly, with her 
hands 



no AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Applied a sort of secret salve, and then with muskrat 
bands 

She wrapped the frozen members tight, then told him 
to bring snow, 

And into this she banked his feet, and watched the pro- 
gress slow, 

His face grew pale as one in death ; the agony intense 

Swept through his body to his face, to make its own 
defense. 

She seemed to feel the pain with him, and stepping to 
his side 

Sought in her own sweet way to show that pain he 
must deride 

If he would soon be well again. 

*'You know it will take long 

To make you well so you can walk ; and then you will 
be strong 

To go back home again up there, where my dear friend 
still lives; 

It must be nice there, I should think, such place con- 
tentment gives." 

*'Your friend is Harold Brown, I judge, well, he is a 
great lad. 

So true of heart and strong of limb; and he has never 
had 

The least trouble with any one, that you could call dis- 
pute. 

But not a man in that whole camp, would dare his word 
refute. 

But I will tell you more of him if I'm allowed to 
stay. 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE in 

Send me your Chief, I'll talk with him. I will his 

doubts allay, 
For all the trouble I might give. 

My friend Pat, can go on; 
And I'll remain with your folks here until I have 

grown strong." 

The temperature had sunk down low, till it read fifty- 
two ; 

And few there were who cared to face the trail and 
make it through. 

Dense grew the air that, thick as fog, hung low to- 
ward the snow ; 

And hardly could one breathe this frost in moving to 
and fro. 

But, 'twas the day set for his start, so Patterson struck 
out; 

The time was short to make the trip, but never did he 
doubt 

His own full strength, and the swift pace of all his 
noble dogs, 

Who were companions, tried and true, o'er trails and 
hills and bogs. 

Oh, could the world without but know the feelings that 
will grow 

Between a faithful dog-team and their master's heart 
aglow ; 

They give and give with all the fineness of a human 
being, 

Clinched in the solitary wilds of this great Northland's 
seeing. 



U2 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

The stretch was long, the trail was hard, the air burnt 

like the fire; 
But never would this brave, true soul give up the fight 

entire. 
Such are the brave souls who have carved that others 

might traverse; 
These are the men who much deserve, but often hear 

the curse 
Hurled at them by the timorous few who follow in 

their steps, 
To find their failing strength cry out the lie to their 

concepts. 
But let the world know, once for all, that heroes fight 

and die 
Alone, unsuccored and unloved, while with their 

strength they vie. 

His friend and comrade gone, McVaugh lay in his 
tent alone; 

Though promised succor from the tribe, he knew that 
only one 

Could be relied upon to give him aid in his distress ; 

Yes, only one in all this cold, forbidding wilder- 
ness. 

She came anon and brought her slave, — the slave she 
saved from death. 

And well he knew that she was much of other aid be- 
reft. 

The quiet manner of this maid, the sweetness of her 
mould 

Spake more to him in the true sense than volumes 
manifold. 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE 113 

How tender were her words, how shy if chance left 

them alone, 
How quick to take her leave when once her duty had 

been done. 

The Chief had promised to give aid, and in return re- 
ceive 

Tobacco, tea, and calico, his tribe's wants to relieve. 

But deep his hatred grew apace for Yonatchna fair,^ 

And never once from this time forth would he her in- 
sults spare. 

And many of his followers, who in the past loved her, 

Now treated her with dire contempt, and often cast a 
slur 

On seeing her return from out the tent where Mc- 
Vaugh lay — 

For she was true as heart is true, and ministered each 
day. 

So, sadder grew this fair sweet maid, as days succeeded 
days. 

And 'tis strange if she wondered not if such devotion 
pays. 

But gave she never hint nor word, but steadfast to her 

task. 
Dressed well the frozen members till the pain left him 

at last. 
He heard them speak to her one day, when she had left 

his tent. 
And heard her fiery soul spring out their base slurs 

to resent : 
**You call yourselves the brave men here, and so I 

thought you then, 



114 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

But now I know too well I judged you wrongly as 

brave men. 
Where are the valiant gone I knew when father was 

your Chief? 
Then you did seek me, one and all, that I might grant 

relief ; 
And now you know that care I naught for all your 

ridicule, 
It hurts me not, and more it proves that you are but 

the fool." 
With this she walked straight up the trail, proud as 

her ancestors, 
And wavered not in her straight course from these her 

sequestors. 

The Irish fire leapt in McVaugh and burned to fiercest 
flame, 

Anger there was in this just man to hear her put to 
shame ; 

He hobbled well without the tent, and spake as natives 
do: 

*'You Indian devils, you vile rogues, you coward sneak- 
ing crew ; 

Let me but hear that once again you dare this girl de- 
ride, 

And you'll be laying cold and stiff along the bare trail's 
side. 

You must not think that I'll stand here while you insult 
this maid. 

Though you may be a thousand strong, you know I'm 
not afraid 



THE PRINCESS' DEFIANCE 115 

To face you all, and you might tell your Chief that I 

am here, 
And will make good the word I speak, — of him I have 

no fear." 

They slunk away, as Indians will, when rightly called 

to task ; 
They greatly dread to hear the word that does their 

fear unmask — 
So days passed on, and days grew long, as the glad 

spring drew near 
With all its glorious sunshine bright ; but he now had 

a fear. 
For by this time brave Patterson should have turned 

on the trail. 
What if his comrade had misjudged the trip, and thus 

should fail 
To make this point before the snow had sunk to mother 

earth ? 
Grave was his dread, and less he showed the maid his 

native mirth. 
Day after day he took long walks along the river's 

course, 
And questioned all the native men of this and that 

stream's source : 
For much he feared that these small pups would open 

in advance 
Of the Susitna, — the main flow, — his partner's doubt 

enhance. 
For, when the spring breaks with its flow of warm air 

and sunshine. 



ii6 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

It eats the billowy whiteness from the mountain's top- 
most shrine, 

Down leap the turbulent waters in their race toward 
the sea, 

And gut the streamlets clear of ice. 

So nature holds the key 

To vast dominions of the North, but long her warning 
gives 

Ere she enacts this tragedy ; and none within her lives 

To tell a different tale than this: that nature at her 
best 

Aids every one of her dear sons well to conserve their 
quest. 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK VI 



THE PERSECUTOR 

THAT spring had come the village life took on 
an active mood; 
Their visitors had left them long; and so a 
quest for food 
Was carried on, as one by one, the huntsmen went 

away 
Till in that village scarce was left a man from day to 

day. 
For it devolves upon the men to stalk the roaming 

game; 
As on the women-folks it rests well to preserve the 

same : 

They must prepare the hides for clothes, by tanning 
them to wear, 

And they must see that meat is dried, and then be- 
stowed with care. 

Their lordly masters like not work, for it is truly 
known 

That native men will seldom toil and ably play the 
drone. 

Fair Yonatchna's efforts rose to still her Chief's com- 
plaint, 

Worked, as the other women worked, though often 
chill and faint; 

But she was treated with contempt by these poor, igno- 
rant folk 

119 



I20 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Who drank the poison of their spleen from men of 

meaner yoke. 
She was untaught in their crude work, save seeing how 

'twas done, 
And doubly hard it came to her, though she with pa- 
tience won — 
Men stood in wonder as they watched her try to tan 

some hide : 
Bending so lowly o'er her work, with faultless marks 

of pride. 
With her small hands and shapely form, her wealth of 

jet black hair, — 
None sweeter in the whole bleak land could e'er with 

her compare. 
But had their Chief not told them in his unmistaken 

terms. 
That favors would be given him whom Yonatchna 

spurns ? 
And few there were who disobeyed, and just these very 

few, 
Were barely civil to her now, since their Chief's wish 

they knew. 
For had he not here, openly, expressed his wish to 

wed? 
And had she not refused his hand, his igloo, and his 

bed? 
Their Chief had told them in plain words that she 

loved the firebrand 
Who feigned his sickness with them once, that he 

might win her hand. 
"She spurned us all, her truest friends, she says we are 

not fit 



THE PERSECUTOR 121 

To touch her hand, nor win her love, nor in her pres- 
ence sit. 
So why should we coerce her whims, or hold her as 

the best ? 
What is there in this female dog that she should still 

be blest 
With all attention we can give, because her father 

Chief 
Had fostered her and cared for her? 

I hold but as a thief 
One who would take our substance and meanwhile still 

spurns our love ; 
I do not know, my tribes-men all, what we are thinking 

of. 
True, our dead Chief did counsel us to look to her 

with care; 
But is there one among us who has not done his full 

share 
In helping and in petting her? And what is the re- 
turn? 
Why, my dear friends, she slights us all, and our love 

doth she spurn! 
She loves a pale-face, this I know ; a white-skinned dog 

who here 
Imposed on us, and lived on us ; and well I saw the fear 
Spring to his face, as to a cur's, when I did bid him go. 
And so he went, as a thief goes with trembling heart, 

I know. 
You must not think that I bear spite because she would 

not wed ; 
But I do here proclaim to you, that, for the honored 

dead 



122 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

I feel that she would bring insult to this her lineage 

tribe, 
If she would wed a pale-faced dog, and leave us in her 

pride. 
She must be humbled to the dust, and you, my brave 

tribesmen, 
Must see to it that this is done before he comes again." 
With this he turned and sought his lodg^, while the 

braves stood aghast ! 
What did this mean? Was this their Chief who dared 

defy the past. 
Where every maiden's honor stood a glory to them all 
As from the dead past o'er such sins they always threw 

a pall. 

Here is a lore song that I learned, this is the way it 

ran, 
Known by the learned of this tribe, and sacred to each 

man: — 

Lore Song* 

Command we our maidens that they should be spotless 

and loyal : — 
The Spirits demand it to ward off the chance of our 

fall; 
In long ages past this their emblem ; let ours now attest 
That virtue must still regnant be, if our nation be 

blest. 

* Handed down from Chief Ik-Khagamute, whose fame 
still lives among the Indian tribes for his unquestioned 
loyalty to his people, his great powers in war, and in the 
chase. The author gives it as nearly word for word as is 
possible to insure rhythm. 



THE PERSECUTOR 123 

This one lonely instance conserve in a sense to display 
How our fathers were firm in their efforts their honor 

to stay : — 
For a wee babe was born; but quickly dispatched was 

its Hfe; 
Its mother was shielded, for she laid not claim to be 

wife. 

The Chief called aloud for her name, that example be 

made, 
The tribe was compelled now, to hold up to shame this 

vile maid; 
The igloos were searched, every child and its parents 

must come 
To the great meeting square, — not one was this edict 

to shun. 

They came all excited, their honor shone forth from 
their eyes : 

Their Chief, and his nobles, their slaves, and their chil- 
dren and wives; 

From every low home that was built in the bowels of 
the earth, 

Even every wee babe was brought from the place of its 
birth. 

Not a one was exempt, for the edict had gone into 

force ; 
The Chief and his nobles and shammans were there to 

endorse. 
Deep painted and plumed came accusers with low 

steady tread. 



124 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And bearing the proof of the guilt of the maiden 
unwed. 

The Chief stood apart, while his brow showed no sign 

of a frown : 
The proof of the stoic, — the badge of his tribe's wide 

renown 
For their fierceness in war, for their unconquered speed 

in the chase, — 
On him it devolved to wipe out every sting of disgrace. 

The women and children and tribesmen stood some 
way apart. 

While accusers stood close by their Chieftain, their 
proofs to impart. 

A deep silence fell o'er that gathering; almost hearts 
ceased to beat, 

As the Chieftain their faces searched boldly, command- 
ing them to speak. 

''Our Chief," came the voice of the leader, "is won- 
drous and brave ; 

We bow to your courage in battle; and audience we 
crave : 

We come, O, our Chief, at your mandate, we bow to 
your will. 

We come that your eyes may behold, that your doubts 
may be still." 

And then to the eyes of the anxious who had been de- 
layed ; 



THE PERSECUTOR 125 

They brought forth a bundle, unwrapped it, and 

showed the dead babe ! 
The Chief in his anguish stood silent; intent was his 

thought ! 
''Let the men and their families be counted, the guilty 

be caught." 

His voice rang like far distant thunder, command on 

command, 
And broke on the ears of his people, renowned through 

the land. 
The families were counted and passed on, then stood 

off apace. 
Till they found one of them to be missing, now hid in 

disgrace. 

The accusers again faced their Chieftain, and each 

bowed his head; 
"O, Mighty, the Chief of our people," and their voices 

showed dread, 
''We have counted thy people, O, Chieftain, and one is 

not here; 
She is hid from the sight of thy visage through anguish 

and fear. 

"Bring her forth that our people may see her, this sin- 
ner accursed!" 

Men sprang to the igloos in haste now; through the 
doorways they burst, 

They scoured the homes that were empty ; but no one 
they found. 



126 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Till they entered their Chiefs only igloo, and there 
she was found. 

They dragged her in haste through the door-way, and 

into tlie square, 
Where the people fell back in amazement, her anguish 

to share ; 
But the old Chief, her father stood boldly, not a tremor 

he showed ; 
Then quick to the side of his daughter, — they feared as 

he strode. 

He cursed the vile spirits, then struck her, contempt for 

the sin; 
Contempt for the flesh of his flesh that she let spirits 

in 
To defile, and corrupt, and destroy her, and thus heap 

up shame 
On the race of his father, his people, his untrammeled 

name. 

And turning he walked off in silence his head bending 
low. 

Not willing to show to his people the force of that 
blow! 

They took her and caged her for six days with no 
water, no meat; 

But bare to the sun's heat they left her to beg, to en- 
treat. 

They passed daily by her to taunt her and scourge her 
anew; 



THE PERSECUTOR 127 

On her ankles and wrists they hung fish-teeth that cut 

the skin through; 
Though water flowed outside her prison they gave her 

no drop ! 
In their firmness of heart to be loyal they aided her not. 

On the sixth day, nigh dead from exhaustion she lay 

in a heap, 
From her body they tore all her clothing and painted 

her feet; 
In a cage they had built for the purpose, with breasts 

in full view 
That her dead baby's spirit might suckle and her life 

renew. 

Thus cleansed from her base sin and folly, the spirits 

forgave ; 
Her forefinger cut from her left hand, her future to 

pave, 
She was publicly wed to her consort, who knew well 

the chase. 
The shammans implored then the spirits their sins to 

erase. 

But for years she must hide from her sisters her face 

and be lorn, 
And amulets gather and wear she, till a baby was bom, 
Then she knew that the spirits forgave her, that she 

was made new : 
That the future was planned for her living, — the sun 

would shine through. 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK VII 



THE PURSUIT 



THE spring had come in earnest now, with all 
its glorious Hght; 
And here the pussy-willows sprang to greet 
the living Hght; 

The snow had left the south hillsides, and tufts of ten- 
der grass 

Waved to the breeze, and lent a charm as o'er this 
course she passed : 

For Yonatchna tramped alone in this sweet solitude ; 

Always fair nature overjoyed and filled her soul with 
food. 

The radiant sunshine of the day, the never dark'ning 
nights ; 

The beauteous flowers, the fragrant breeze, filled her 
with rare dehghts. 

Here could she find the one true salve for all her 
wounded pride ; 

And here her thoughts found life again in all their 
range so wide. 

'Twas on this very hill that he had met her long ago, 

And he would fain have drawn her near, where now 
sweet flowers grow. 

And here it was that she had learned he really cared 
for her, 

For, with a maiden's instinct clear, she saw he did con- 
cur 

131 



132 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

With all she said, when his wild soul had voiced its 

riot out, 
For eagerly he drank her words when the truth came 

about. 
How manly he had plead to her, and opened wide his 

heart, 
In his firm pleading for her wish to judge him as a 

part 
Of her true self, in this one way, that she was his 

best friend, 
And evermore he would endorse, and her sweet self 

defend. 
The flowers were here, in her mind's eye, and here the 

running vines, 
And over there, from where she stood, the honeysuckle 

twines 
Its tender branches with the spruce, in seeking for 

support ; 
And just beyond the gypsophila filled the flowery port. 

This place was sacred to her now, and every leaf which 
grew. 

Flamed radiant with life-giving love the vivid day- 
time through ; 

No, nevermore should night-time come, for love had 
paved the way, 

And dark or light, for all the time life would mean 
glorious day. 

Hearing a noise behind her, quick she turned to seek 
the cause, 

Who could intrude upon her now? As she looked 
came a pause. 





'1 

1 


mU iM 


1 




"^S^^^S ""^^d^Mmmj^^^^^^m^^^^Bk ti.'*' 




P 



CT^ie/ Tuluksaka 



THE PURSUIT 133 

Wild beat her heart as there she saw the Chieftain 

crouching low, 
A fiendish leer shone from his eye, and dark his evil 

brow. 
"What would you here, my Chief?" she cried, as fear 

sprang up with stress 
And clogged her senses as to how she best should him 

address. 

"Oh, I was walking o'er the hills, by chance I saw you 

here, 
Sweet Yonatchna, I would know why you do show 

such fear 
At this my presence on this day, at such a time as this ? 
Is there aught now that you would say, or aught that 

is amiss?" 
"Oh! I know why I should fear, you do not mean me 

well; 
You have no love for me I know that you will have to 

quell : 
Then why have you come here I pray, you heaped on 

me a curse; 
Now I know well your deep intent — 

You still do wish me worse! 
I know you do not care for me for arts I can employ, 
Much rather do I think that you my good name would 

destroy." 

**You think this, do you, oh my maid? You are so 
wondrous wise, 

You think because you are well versed in many pale- 
faced lies 



134 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

That you are far above your tribe ; I curse them every 

one, 
And so my tribesmen curse them too. 

Who will you lean upon 
When he, your friend, has come again and robbed you 

of your pride, 
As he will surely do ? Or will you take his love betide, 
And boldly hold your head as now, and shun us as 

you do? 
But I will rob him of his first sweet kiss, — yes him and 

you!" 
And like a lynx that creeps upon his helpless, cornered 

game, 
So the Chief crept toward this maid, with not a twinge 

of shame. 

Wild grew her eyes, fast pulsed her heart, while down 

the bare hillside 
She ran in fright, her trembling limbs o'er doubled 

thrice their stride, 
As over rocks and stunted pines, whose branches reach- 
ing out, 
Rended her dress of caribou, and scratched her all 

about. 
Down, down, and ever down she plunged, the twigs 

caught in her hair. 
Her face was torn and bleeding now, her soul was in 

despair, 
For just behind her plunged the Chief, an oath in 

every breath 
He swore by devils and by ghosts, by all the fiends of 

death ! 



THE PURSUIT 135 

She side-stepped him as he reached out to grab her in 
his clutch, 

And prone upon the bare hillside he stumbled; and a 
touch 

Of wild new hope leapt to her breast; she downward 
sprang again, 

Crippled and torn, and bleeding much; but heart and 
brain still sane. 

This bare mishap stood her in stead, for fair into the 
arms 

Of old McVaugh she fell prostrate, safe from immedi- 
ate harms. 

He laid her there upon the ground, and drew his hunt- 
ing knife, 

The Irish blood in him was fierce to let out some 
skunk's life. 

He ran about the hill in hopes of finding cause for 
fight, 

And once he thought he saw the semblance of a fleeting 
sprite 

Dodge through the tangled, scrubby brush; but when 
he reached the place 

No single living thing he saw that he might give it 
chase. 

Back to the spot where he had lain poor Yonatchna 
down, 

He hastened with redoubled steps, with still a murder- 
ous frown 

Upon his face. 

"God curse the cur who would attack this 
maid, 



136 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

And hell burn out his coward heart till he is well re- 
paid." 

She still lay prone upon the ground, insensible to 
life,— 

The poor, worn body, limp as death! So raising up 
his knife. 

Till its blade glistened in the sun, to consummate his 
oath 

Wildly he swore o'er that still form : 

''Oh, God, I am not loth 

To seek the coward heart of him who dare assault this 

girl, 

So make my arm now doubly strong, to strike the 

skulking churl. 
And I swear here, o'er her still form, and by my 

mother's name, 
And by the very drops of blood that run throughout 

my frame, 
By my own being, and more I swear — I swear my 

sacred soul. 
That every drop of poisonous blood that he can claim 

as whole. 
Shall be scattered upon the ground, to poison this fair 

earth. 
And every spot that it escapes will blossom with its 

mirth." 
He raised the poor weak body up in his great sinewy 

arms. 
And bore his burden lovingly, with all her maiden 

charms 
Entrusted well for safe keeping; for all the native 

men 



L 



THE PURSUIT 137 

That he passed by seemed not to care her honor to 

defend. 
She had nursed him, so he would now repay her for 

her deeds ; 
His staunch heart knew this best of ways to satisfy 

her needs. 

He knew that by her acts to him she had lost all her 

friends, 
He knew the native custom well : that none can make 

amends 
For what they do that might reflect upon their tribal 

pride, 
And she a Chieftain's daughter, too, this insult more 

beside. 
To her igloo he bore her now and laid her gently 

down ; 
And his crude efforts to help her brought to his face 

a frown. 
Now, if she were but man instead, he'd know just what 

to do; 
But duty urged his staunch heart on, and he would 

pull her through. 
He deftly bathed her face and hands, and wrapped her 

robe about; 
And from his tent he brought some rum and gave her 

with a doubt. 
And then beside the couch he sat, and watched the 

fragile form 
As still as death, while in his heart raged a deep, bitter 

storm 



138 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Against the beast, who ever dared to wreak such havoc 

here. 
*'It calls for vengeance and I'll surely seek him far and 

near." 
And now the eyelids trembled some with urge of com- 
ing life, 
And her whole form convulsed in memory of the awful 

strife. 
She gave one scream that smote his heart, as half from 

out the bed 
She sprang in frenzied innocence, from her pure girlish 

dread : 
"Oh, save me, save me," loud she called, and quick he 

caught her arm, 
"There, there, you're safe, safe for all time. 

I will not let him harm 
You for one instant, see, I'm here. It is your friend 

McVaugh, 
Your friend I say, look well at me, for I was there 

and saw 
How it all happened ; you're safe now and I am here to 

stay; 
There, lie back now, and look at me, I'll watch by you 

each day 
Until you're well again, and then your Harold will be 

here. 
Oh, he will come; I know he will, so you need have 

no fear." 

She looked at him in that strange way, which showed 

the mind a blank 
To all the present happenings. 



THE PURSUIT 139 

And she had him to thank 
For this her present hopeless state ! 

"Oh, if I could undo 
It all again, and let her be the native maiden, true 
To these her native friends, in fine, as in the past she 

was; 
But she is true, and they are wrong; and I have been 

the cause." 
And thus McVaugh nursed her for days, while she 

begged piteously 
In incoherent ramblings wild that he would set her free 
From her strange agony. 

'Tor he will come, I know he'll come 
And kill us both. He said he would; and oh, you'll 

see him soon 
Come through the door, with all his might ! Oh, save 

me, save me now ! 
Oh, please, my Chief, do not do this, for you are 

strong, and how 
Can I protect my lonely self. Help! Help!! Oh, help I 

say!" 
Then she would clasp McVaugh's great hand, and beg 

that he would stay; 
Beg him with all her frenzied fear in her poor native 

way. 
Tears oft would spring from McVaugh's eyes as he 

would comfort her, 
And talk for hours of Harold Brown, and get her to 

concur 
In all he said about their friend, how he was good and 

brave ; 
And how in all sincerity he'd come her love to crave. 



140 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Thus quietly he brought her back to reason once again ; 
And she would go when he went forth; but all their 

walks in vain : 
For Patterson had not appeared. 

"He'll have to travel nights, 
Now that the snow has mostly gone. I see the north- 
ern lights 
Are playing wild, and that portends we're going to 

have more cold ; 
He must have had a trip of it, and likely has been 

fooled." 
And thus the days dragged on, and now approached 

the month of May, 
And Patterson reeled in one day, much worn in every 

way 
From his long trip; his weary dogs were naught but 

skin and bone 
From untold hardships they had met, making this 

journey home. 



AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 
BOOK VIII 



THE WEDDING 

THE season had cut off their hopes to reach the 
Kuskokwim, 
And earnestly they set to work to put their 

tent in trim : 
For they must wait here for a space until the ice had 

broke 
Upon the Yetna's watercourse, so then they set to 

work, 
Whip-sawed their lumber for a boat, though crude 

from lack of tools, 
Still worthy : for they gained their art from these wild 

northland's schools. 
McVaugh soon told his partner all about the Indian 

rake; 
But spake no word to the poor maid for her own com- 
fort's sake. 

They watched the Indians cautiously, and met them 

with contempt 
When aught of them would come near by and sneak 

around their tent. 
And Yonatchna kept aloof from people of her blood, 
Always she lingered with these two, — in safety by 

them stood. 
She cooked their meals, and cleaned their tent, and 

took a wondrous pride 
143 



144 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

In what attention they would give. 

And sitting there beside 
The fire she told them tale on tale of tribesmen of 

renown ; 
But only once, up to this time, spake she of Harold 

Brown : 
"He said he'd come, and I had hopes that he would 

come ere this, — 
I wonder if he's lost his way, or aught has gone 

amiss !" 
They quieted her fears in this, and told her he would 

come; 
That he had told them he'd be here before June's stir 

and hum. 
"He has a week yet to make good, and you can count 

on him, 
For he's the hardiest chap we know along the Kusko- 

kwim." 

A change had come o'er this fair maid, the reader will 
observe. 

Though staunch as steel and proud and pure, with all 
her sweet reserve, 

Yet, she had lost a something here, and gained a some- 
thing there, 

Which made her less impulsive girl, and more the 
woman fair. 

When she spake now she weighed her words with the 
precisest care, 

Lest she might utter something that in justice was not 
fair; 



THE WEDDING 145 

And oft these two firm friends of hers would relate 

tales from life, 
While she would listen avidly and marvel at the strife. 
And when they'd leave her igloo as the night drew on 

apace, 
Quietly she'd sit alone. 

And o'er her wondrous face 
Would creep a frown, or flash a light, as though she 

weighed their words, 
Which cleared her vision's mental scope, like rays from 

gleaming swords. 
And every night before she sought her couch for rest 

and sleep. 
To her great God she humbly prayed that He her love 

would keep. 

One morning ere she left her bed she heard her friends 

without, — 
Their tent was moved beside her home, to still her fear 

and doubt, — 
Welcome, she knew not whom, except his was a 

friendly tone 
And much beloved, for glad their talk, and through it 

was no moan. 
She listened now ecstatically to catch the comer's 

voice : 
Hoping on hope that it would cause her lone heart to 

rejoice. 
The voices seemed to her, constrained, for oft she lost 

the sound, 
Then they would ring again, the more her senses to 

confound. 



146 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

No time for her to lie abed, when hopes sprang to her 

breast, 
There was no peace for her now that her mind could 

find no rest. 
Quick from her couch she sprang, and dressed her with 

artistic care ; 
Her every movement set on fire her hoping he was 

there. 
In haste she strung about her neck the beads he liked 

so well, 
And donned her dainty moccasins he told her looked 

so "swell." 
Her hair was braided and hung down, and at the ends 

were tied 
With dainty bows, stained deepest red, cut from the 

moose-calf hide. 
Her black eyes shone with hope and fear unto their 

very deeps ; 
And o'er that face, for long careworn, a flush of 

beauty creeps. 
It seemed she waited ages there before she ventured 

out, 
But hope restrained her ere she sought to still her lin- 
gering doubt : 
"If he is here, my eyes must see, my heart must know 

the joy; 
My ear must hear his voice again, my soul his love 

enjoy." 
Quick from her igloo she stepped forth, but paused 

now where she stood. 
Within the cadence of a voice that seemed to her so 

good! 



THE WEDDING 147 

"It must be him/' her wild heart said, "Oh, God, how 

good Thou art 
To bring him to me once again, and this great joy 

impart." 
She heard his words so clearly now, they mentioned 

her own name. 
And all a-tremble back she turned, her purpose now 

gone lame. 
"I'll wait until he comes to me, his heart will find me 

here ; 
He can not long remain away." 

She heard a foot-step near 
And now it paused at her own door, then gently came 

a knock: 
She tried to bid him come within, but silence, stood 

to mock 
Her every effort to speak out, "Come in, come in," she 

cried, 
But silence reigned supreme instead. Had her own 

senses lied? 
Her great eyes stared ; with wild heart throb she bade 

him come once more. 
But not a whisper could be heard, and no one oped the 

door. 
Knock, knock ! She heard it loud again, and trembling 

like a fawn 
Just startled from its morning's sleep by the rude 

huntsmen's horn 
She staggered wildly to the door, "Oh, Harold, is that 

you? 
Oh, do come in," her weak voice said, as slight her 

courage grew. 



148 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

The door was fairly broke within; and hke a mighty 

blast 
That sweeps its path she felt two strong and loving 

arms at last 
Close round her in a warm embrace, and then she 

knew no more 
Love had rewarded her at last: love had its golden 

store. 
"Sweet, oh, how sweet it is to see your own dear lov- 
ing self ; 
And just to know that once again, my arms can you 

engulf ! 
Dear Yonatchna, darling girl, how great has been my 

gain. 
Now that I have my own sweet girl in lieu of all this 

pain ; 
But since I see you still are safe, you'll let me tell you 

now 
That love has crowned you queen of all, and my heart 

will endow 
With all the beauty that can come to any one in life; 
And nevermore again shall you taste aught of this 

world's strife; 
For you will be my wedded wife, and proudly I'll pro- 
tect 
Your every moment with my care, so you may walk 

erect." 

She did not speak a word as yet, this moment holy 

sweet, 
Joy surely crowned her steadfast soul with a pure love, 

complete. 



THE WEDDING 149 

Closer became his hold on her, as sweet the moments 
grew ; 

Time had no meaning to them now, as their hearts 
beat anew. 

And when she looked into his eyes and saw the pas- 
sion there, 

And felt his warm breath fan her cheek, she doubted 
not his care. 

And holy sweet to her pure soul was his first, fervent 
kiss: 

Not for the world would she retreat, and this dear 
moment miss. 

She led him gently to the robes, and down upon the 
floor 

She made him sit; where he then told his travels, o'er 
and o'er. 

She then prepared some food for him, which he ate 
with a zest ; 

And when he could, he took his leave, to seek much- 
needed rest. 

McVaugh had told Brown what he knew about that 

fateful day; 
And how, for days and days he sat, while in her bed 

she lay, 
Begging so piteously for life, in her delirious mind, 
And to the fact that she was safe, completely was she 

blind. 
He told him how, through nursing him, she won the 

hate complete 
Of all the natives here about ; and when they'd chance 

to meet, 



I50 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

They gibed her in deep, bitter tones that she had broken 

laws, 
And that she was a slave, impure, unworthy of their 

cause. 
''And I swore them many an oath that there would 

come a day, 
When I would meet this scoundrel, and he'd have that 

score to pay; 
But so far he has kept well hid, though I have searched 

alone." 

'* 'Tis not for you, McVaugh," Brown spoke, ''to me 

he shall atone. 
And I have still another debt, — for days that are gone 

by: 
I have my bearings better now, I'll with his cunning 

vie. 
Oh, do not fear, he is a dog of the low mongrel breed : 
And so he thinks since he has strength, that others 

shall take heed. 
But he shall pay, or I'll forfeit my every drop of blood. 
My vengeance shall he surely feel; it surges like a 

flood"— 
He rose and stalked from out the tent, his great form 

showing fair 
Against the evening's waning light; none might his 

purpose share. 

McVaugh now followed in his wake, well to protect his 

friend 
Against the cunning of the man whose braves would 

him defend. 



THE WEDDING 151 

The young man hurried to the place where dwelt the 

reigning Chief 
And not a moment did he pause to grant his ire 

relief, — 
Crash went the door, when his great strength had met 

this feeble bar, 
And he stood there with lion heart to face this Chief- 
tain cur. 
Low on the robes the Chieftain lay; but sprang quick 

to his feet, 
His muscled form in attitude an enemy to meet. 
"So here you hide, you cursed scum, you Chieftain of 

black hell; 
You base defiler of the pure and innocent as well; 
Think not that I am not aware of what a dog you are, 
And how the devil keeps your kind that this earth he 

may mar.'* 

Chiefs lowering eyes grew hard as flint, a leer de- 
formed his face, 

His muscles tightened with a snap, as when he took 
the chase. 

Then glancing for a moment sharp about his dark 
igloo, 

He raised his head in vaunting pride. 

"And so your friends and you 

Are come to rule instead of me? You stole a foolish 
girl 

By your base flattery and food. You are the vilest 
churl 

That eyes have ever looked upon.'' 

And like a man insane 



152 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Harold was at his throat, and fought like a wild 

hurricane. 
Flash went a knife with lightning speed, and deep into 

his arm 
The long blade sank. But Harold, quick to ward ofif 

further harm 
By such base treachery, sprang clear and, drawing his 

keen knife, 
"You cowardly devil's whelp," he cried, "now, this 

shall cost your life." 
But ere he could make good his threat, the strong arm 

of McVaugh 
Had seized him firmly by the arm. 

"Come, Brown, this is no way." 
And then he saw the blood gush forth from out the 

deep ait there, 
And quick as flash his pistol came. 

But all in war is fair : 
"You skunk of a declining tribe, you'll fight a good 

square fight. 
And by the skittering cats of day, we'll show you who 

is right. 
Come now, and drop that knife of yours ; your men are 

here to see 
That fairness will be done to you. Drop it, and let 

it be, 
Or you will never fight again. There, now, come on 

without." 
And Harold gave up his own knife, to quash the 

Chieftain's doubt. 



THE WEDDING 153 

The stalwart form stepped quick without in face of all 
his tribe, 

'Twas not for him, the bully now, to give them room 
to gibe. 

Strong as the bear that roams the hills, as quick of eye 
and limb; 

Who was this cur of a pale-face who thus dared chal- 
lenge him? 

His fury rose in face of all, and giving one wild 

yell, 

He sprang toward the younger man; but quick as 
word can tell, 

A side-step, and a thundering crash fair on his vicious 
face, 

Now stunned him for an instant; then loud jeers from 
his own race 

Quite maddened him, and fury spent its spleen upon 
his mind. 

Then like a bull, pricked to attack, what semblance to 
mankind 

Was left in him, had been destroyed and straight to- 
wards his foe 

He sprang. They whirled, now clinched and broke; 
the fight was never slow, 

Arms shot out with the lightning's speed, and landed 
fair and full; 

Now down, now up again, and round with many a 
lurch and pull. 

McVaugh and Patterson stood there, their pistols in 
their hand, 

Stern in their attitude, to hold the natives in com- 
mand. 



154 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

Well were they watching every move of the grim 

fighters there, 
And saw with satisfaction that their friend had 

strength to spare. 
The Chieftain's face was red-blood-stained, and his 

eyes staring wild. 
''You'll say I stole this native girl, or robbed you of 

your child? 
You skulking cur," fast fell the blows upon the head 

and face, 
"I'll show you where you're standing now, and how 

we keep the pace." 
This all from Harold as he sprang clear of all blows 

that fell 
With awful force; then back again with a victorious 

yell. 
The Chieftain's strength was waning fast; by all 

'twas clearly seen. 
When somewhere from without the crowd came a 

heart-rending scream: 
And full before them sprang a girl, pale, and with 

heaving breast, 
'*Oh, Patterson, oh, please, McVaugh!" she pleaded 

with all zest, 
"Save him, oh, save him from this beast. See, Yon- 

atchna pleads, 
On bended knee; oh, please, McVaugh, I served you 

in your needs, 
And now you will not turn a hand to save my Harold 

there!" 
And she clung to him piteously. "You think I do not 

care! 



THE WEDDING 155 

My poor, poor girl, 'twill soon be o'er. Remember 

well the hill 
When he attacked you that day. Think how he tried 

to kill 
Your precious life's virtue. Think! Think! And let 

your love avenge 
The base, deep insult that you felt. You know we are 

your friends 
And will stand by him and by you." 

**Oh, please, oh, please, McVaugh, 
Let him not suffer for my sake!" And screaming as 

she saw 
Them both fall heavily to the ground. The fight at 

last was o'er, 
For now the Chieftain lay quiet, still, — no use to fight 

him more. 
She sprang towards her champion as he lay upon the 

ground : 
And wept hysterically and kissed the one great gaping 

wound 
Upon his cheek. 

''Oh, Harold dear, the joy of all my life! 
O, God! that I should cause you this, — this bitter, 

bitter strife. 
Can you forgive me, Harold dear? Oh, speak to me 

sweetheart, 
So I may hear your voice again, and I'll use every art 
To nurse you back to life again as it was yesterday.'* 
And sobbing thus, they gently led the stricken maid 

away. 



156 AN ATHABASCAN PRINCESS 

The following day Harold was out, though his wound 

gave him pain : 
And all the natives ready were to greet him with 

acclaim. 
To them strength was a mark of rank, a trust of 

worthiness ; 
And eagerly fair Yonatchna they would now address. 
She was again their idol fair, and her great heart did 

melt 
Before the native warmth again, — no hatred now she 

felt, 
Her life was much too full of love to let a shadowy 

thought 
Enter her soul, since it was love that had this beauty 

brought. 
They left there when the stream ran full, to reach the 

Kuskokwim ; 
And life was one great pulsing joy in sharing it with 

him. 
Her Mission book served for McVaugh rightly to 

marry them, 
And he was classed as minister from this time with 

the men. 



Songs o' the Olympics 

By ALICE HARRIMAN 



TOTEM POLES 
Thlingits' queer Totem Poles, ugly, uncouth, 
Represent what they were told in their youth 
Of tribal history— fiction and fact 
They accept fully; nor add nor subtract. 

Why should we ridicule, think very droll 
Indian legends and carved totem pole. 
When we, in bhndness, are equally odd 
In misconceptions of life and of God? 

In this book you have struck several new notes-the rarest thing 
'" ^ -R^erUnLwood Johnson, Editor of Century Maga^ne, 
Mrs. Harriman bears the gift of real poetry •^-_}^-^J^;,,,^^^^^ 

Illustrated. Boards, artistic Indian head design, $1,60; 

leather, %2.00 net; limp leather, $2.50; Japanese 

gold and silver art einbroidery, $3.50. 



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Trails Through 
Western Woods 

By HELEN FITZGERALD SANDERS 

The author-artist gives us an idyl of forest trails, cloud-swept 
mountains, glacier-born cascades, gentle Selish and heart-broken 
Indian chiefs, born to learn their day is past. The book will 
widen the circles of those who regret the passing of the brave, 
free life of the wilderness. 




^ ' Hekiv 



^- Ifl'zger^d 



The author deserves the gratitude of the American nation for capturing 
the nebulous star-mist of its beginnings— and that which went before." 

—N. T. Times. 
Illustrated by the Author. Colored end sheets. 
$2.00 net; 'postage 16 cents. 

THE ALICE HARRIMAN COMPANY 

and 



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The SUPERINTENDENT 

By IRENE WELCH GRISSOM 



New Characters, Scenes and Theine 




A strong story of the Sawmill Country in Western 
Washington. Redolent of fir, cedar, and hemlock as 
the whirring saws let loose the stored perfume of the 
growth of centuries. 

$1.35 net; postage 10 cents 



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AVEN UE NEW YORK and SEATTLE ^'gilmNS 



A MAN OF 
TWO COUNTRIES 

A POLITICAL NOVEL 

By ALICE HARRIMAN 

Other books: Stories of Montana, Songs 'o the Sound, Chaperoning 
Adrienne Through the Yellowstone. Songs o* the Olympics 



QUERY. Why does 
an Englishman ever 
become an Ameri- 
can? 

TIME. 1878-1891. 

PLACE. Montana. 

THE MAN. A young 
Englishman. 

THE GIRL. There 
are two. 



A Man of 
'Evo Goun tries 

Alice Harriman. 




A story with hither- 
to unused local color 
and thoroughly 
original characters 

Illustrated with pen 
and ink chapter 
headings by C. M. 
Dowling. 

Striking four color 
wrapper. 



Trice $1.50^ postage 12c. 



THE ALICE HARRIMAN COMPANY 

and 



^v^'n'S^NEW YORK 



C -C A T'T" T 17 318 DENNY 
O XL. A 1 I ij Hi building 



m 4 !9!! 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



a t^'^ii 



